Mikel Arteta says Arsenal know what they must do in front of their own supporters against Bayer Leverkusen, with the tie level at 1-1 and the Emirates set to host a decisive Champions League night.
Mikel Arteta has called on the Emirates crowd to help carry Arsenal through Tuesday night’s Champions League second leg against Bayer Leverkusen, as his side look to turn home advantage into a quarter-final place. Arsenal return to north London with the last-16 tie level at 1-1 after Kai Havertz’s late penalty in Germany cancelled out Robert Andrich’s opener and kept the contest alive heading into the return.
Arteta looks to home support
Speaking ahead of the second leg, Arteta made clear that Arsenal’s focus is already on the task awaiting them in front of their own supporters. “Obviously we are in the stage, in the competition that we are in right now, so we know what we have to do, and in front of our crowd, with our people, putting all the energy in the world again, hopefully we are going to do it."
It is a familiar line from Arteta, who has often pointed to the Emirates as a significant factor in Arsenal’s bigger home occasions, but it carries extra weight here. The first leg left the tie open rather than settled, and the manager’s message was less about emotion for its own sake than about using the stadium environment to sharpen Arsenal’s level in a match that will be decided on details.
Respect for Leverkusen remains clear
Arteta’s comments also underlined that Arsenal are not expecting the evening to become straightforward simply because the second leg is at home. He described Bayer Leverkusen as “really well coached” with a “clear structure” after watching their weekend draw with Bayern Munich, suggesting Arsenal expect another disciplined and awkward test from the German side.
That assessment fits what happened in the BayArena last week. Arsenal started well and Gabriel Martinelli hit the bar, but the game shifted after the restart and Leverkusen found a way to disrupt the visitors before Havertz’s 89th-minute penalty restored parity. Arteta admitted afterwards that Arsenal had lost control after a strong opening spell, which is why his emphasis now is as much on clarity and control as on atmosphere.
Arsenal still face selection questions
The crowd angle is not the only issue shaping the build-up. Arteta has also confirmed that Martin Odegaard and Jurrien Timber are out for the second leg, while Leandro Trossard is fit again and Ben White trained ahead of the game. That leaves Arsenal without two important players, but with at least one attacking option returning at the right time.
All of that leaves Arsenal with a clear challenge. The tie is level, the opposition have already shown they can make the game uncomfortable, and the manager is asking for one more collective push at the Emirates. For Arteta, the message is simple enough. Arsenal know what is required. Now they have to deliver it in front of their own crowd.