Arsenal may have salvaged a draw away at Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League round of 16, courtesy of a late Kai Havertz penalty, but Mikel Arteta’s men will have to play significantly better in the return leg at the Emirates if they want to progress into the quarter-finals.
The Gunners’ attack was sterile for large periods in Leverkusen, and they ultimately amassed just six efforts on goal throughout the 90 minutes. Robert Andrich gave the home side the lead shortly after half-time, heading home at the back post from a pinpoint corner.
Havertz saved the day off the bench, dispatching a spot-kick won by Noni Madueke in the 89th minute to make the tie level heading into the second leg.
Several Arsenal players struggled at the BayArena, although one specific star is coming in for criticism after delivering a particularly below-par outing.
Arsenal fans weren’t impressed with Bukayo Saka’s performance against bayer Leverkusen
Bukayo Saka was named Arsenal captain in Martin Odegaard’s absence, although the Gunners’ talisman ultimately failed to step up and take the initiative with this added responsibility.
Deployed in a front three that included Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Martinelli, there was an onus on the England international to get on the ball and run Arsenal’s attack. He failed to do so, finding it difficult to influence proceedings in the final third.
Although Jurrien Timber fed him in a number of promising positions, he wasn’t able to execute efficiently and provide any sort of creative or goal-scoring threat. He’ll no doubt be disappointed by his display, as were the on-watching Gunners faithful.
One fan wrote on X: “Saka this is horrendous big bro.”
Saka this is horrendous big bro
— Chiddy 🇳🇬 (@chiddyafc) March 11, 2026
Another added: “That’s the worst 45 mins I’ve ever seen from Saka.”
That’s the worst 45 mins I’ve ever seen from Saka
— chief (@aliladiere) March 11, 2026
One supporter wrote: “Saka looked lost today.”
Saka looked lost today.
— Ihuaku (@ihuakuchidubem) March 11, 2026
Meanwhile, another fan had a more positive outlook, despite acknowledging that it wasn’t the 24-year-old’s best showing: “Everyone turning on Saka. Bit risky when he’s going to score at the Emirates in the second leg.”
Everyone turning on Saka. 😂😂 bit risky when he’s going to score at the emirates second leg.
— ★ ★ ★ ★ (@noctranova) March 11, 2026
Bukayo Saka will bounce back from Bayer Leverkusen nightmare
Saka signed a lucrative new contract last month, and thus, it’s reasonable for fans to expect more from him. That said, the fact that Arteta hooked the wide forward on the hour mark indicates that the player may not have been fully fit and ready to play this game.
The Spaniard very rarely substitutes his best player, even when he’s not having his best game. It’s possible that the change was pre-planned and that the medical team were aware that he wasn’t quite operating at full sharpness.
| Saka vs Bayer Leverkusen Statistics | |
| Minutes Played | 60 |
| Shots | 1 |
| Expected Goals | 0.02 |
| Accurate Passes | 16/19 (84%) |
| Touches in Opposition Box | 4 |
| Touches | 37 |
| Key Passes | 0 |
| Successful Dribbles | 1/3 (33%) |
Even if there were no fitness concerns, this performance was so unlike Saka that it’s fair to suggest that it was something of an anomaly. He produced so little in the final third and was so indecisive that it can, for now, be put down as a one-off.
He’ll need to bounce back against Everton on the weekend, but Arsenal fans should be confident that their best player has the ingredients to respond to one off-colour night.
