Arsenal return to Champions League action on Tuesday night when they host Bayer Leverkusen at the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta’s team were held by the German side in the first leg last week at the BayArena, with Kai Havertz’s late penalty salvaging a draw for the Gunners. They head into the second leg in a strong position to progress into the last eight of Europe’s elite competition, although Saturday afternoon’s dramatic game against Everton will have taken its toll on the Arsenal players.
The Toffees kept the North Londoners at bay until the 89th minute, when Viktor Gyokeres tapped home to send the Emirates crowd into raptures. Max Dowman’s breakaway goal sealed the victory, which moves Arsenal nine points clear at the top of the Premier League – Arteta’s side are now on the precipice of achieving something the English giants haven’t for 22 years.
Arteta will hope Tuesday night’s European encounter is significantly more serene, and that his team don’t produce many more heart-attack inducing performances for the rest of the season. The Gunners’ squad cannot afford to be desperately chasing a goal for 90 minutes three time a week moving forward.
A few refereeing decisions going their way will certainly help reduce the stress levels. With that said, here’s a look at the UEFA’s pick for the match officials for Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen.
Who is the referee for Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen?
UEFA have announced that Dutch referee Danny Makkelie will be the referee in charge of Arsenal’s match against Leverkusen.
This will be the first Gunners game Makkelie has officiated so far this season, although it will be his seventh Champions League match of the campaign.
The last time Makkelie took charge of an Arsenal game was almost two years ago, in April 2024, when the North Londoners were knocked out at the quarter-final stage by Bayern Munich. Joshua Kimmich scored the only goal at the Allianz Arena as Arteta’s team lost 3-2 on aggregate.
Danny Makkelie’s record against Arsenal
Makkelie has been a referee at the top level for several years and has officiated three Arsenal matches throughout his career.
In these games, he’s handed the Gunners four yellow cards, no red cards and no penalties.
| Makkelie’s record refereeing Arsenal matches | |||
| Matches | Arsenal wins | Draws | Arsenal defeats |
| 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
Danny Makkelie’s record against Bayer Leverkusen
As for Leverkusen, Makkelie has officiated four of die Werkself’s games, giving them nine yellow cards, no red cards and one penalty in the process.
| Makkelie’s record refereeing Leverkusen matches | |||
| Matches | Leverkusen wins | Draws | Leverkusen defeats |
| 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Who are the assistant referees and VAR?
Alongside Makkelie as the referee will be his assistants, Jan de Vries, Hessel Steegstra and Allard Lindhout, with the former two running the line and the latter the fourth official.
In the VAR room, Dennis Higler will oversee the game, with Pol van Boekel assisting him.
