Last week at BayArena, Arsenal struggled but managed a 1-1 draw thanks to a controversial penalty by Kai Havertz. While this result ended the Gunners' perfect winning streak in this season's Champions League, it gave them a significant advantage heading into today's rematch at Emirates.

Head coach Mikel Arteta during Arsenal's training session at the Arsenal training center in London Colney, England on 16/3. Photo: Reuters

During the pre-match press conference, Arteta stated that Arsenal would likely face a familiar Leverkusen side. "They are very well-organized, have a clear structure, and many quality individuals," he said. "We understand what stage of the competition we are in and what we need to do. At home, with the support of our fans, we hope the team will achieve that."

Arsenal's Champions League performance is improving under Arteta, marking their third consecutive appearance in the knockout rounds. In the last two seasons, the Gunners reached the quarterfinals and then the semifinals. Arteta believes that the experience gained in the Champions League over recent seasons will aid Arsenal in this decisive match. According to him, many factors will contribute to the London club securing a spot in the quarterfinals.

From a tactical perspective, the Spanish head coach believes Arsenal must improve their attacking ability against Leverkusen's compact defense, especially avoiding leaving spaces for counter-attacks. "In the first half of the first leg, there were many situations where we couldn't even get a shot off and allowed them to counter-attack. That is the worst thing when facing them. We need to make better decisions and create more threats," he emphasized.

Arsenal's training session before the champions league round of 16 second leg.

With approximately two months left in the season, Arsenal still has a chance to compete for four titles. They are currently leading the Premier League, are in the round of 16 of the Champions League (facing Leverkusen), will play in the League Cup final (against Man City) on 22/3, and the FA Cup quarterfinals (against Southampton) on 4/4.

Arteta stated that the motivation to win has grown after several seasons competing at the highest level. "When you have come very close to your goals, the desire to win increases each year. But the important thing is to focus on the present and enjoy the journey, because we are in a special position," the 43-year-old coach expressed.

Last weekend, Arsenal prepared with an emotional 2-0 victory over Everton, thanks to the standout performance of 16-year-old talent Max Dowman. When asked about this win, Arteta noted that Arsenal has experienced many memorable moments over the past few years, but each match brings different emotions. "Recent memories often make things feel more special. But we want to create another great moment tomorrow," he shared.

By Hong Duy (Source: Arsenal.com)