Christian Kofane can be a real handful and should be able to cause Arsenal problems here, given his recent form. Kofane first really caught my attention at AFCON earlier this year, where he netted twice in four starts, taking 13 shots (3.56 per 90).

Taking on Arsenal in the Champions League is quite the step up in quality from AFCON, but I think Kofane has the traits to be a successful striker in Europe. He’s only 19, so he’s got plenty of time to develop, but already looks to be a real threat with five goals across just nine starts in the Bundesliga this season. 

He’s taken 35 shots across these starts (3.27 per 90), showing that he can replicate that promising, but small, sample size at AFCON in a top league. This average drops slightly in the Champions League to 1.93 shots per 90, but he should improve with every game at this level and will fancy his chances of causing Arsenal issues, having scored in each of his last two games ahead of this clash.

Eberechi Eze has found his way back into the starting lineup across recent weeks, with the 27-year-old starting each of Arsenal’s last three Premier League matches.

He’s had to win over Arteta this season, who always prioritises control, but is set to earn a start in the Champions League here and should be able to win at least one foul.

Eze loves to carry the ball through central areas. He’s won 28 fouls across his 16 starts in the Premier League this season - working out to an average of 1.78 fouls won per 90. Eze has also won six fouls across his five starts in the Champions League this term (1.28 per 90), so winning fouls is a pretty consistent part of his game, which can come to the fore here as Leverkusen look to stifle the Gunners.

Allowing Arsenal to win a corner in a game is as bad as giving away a penalty, with how ruthless Mikel Arteta’s side can be from these set-piece situations. Arsenal have won 44 corners across their eight Champions League matches this season, averaging 5.50 per game. 

21 of these corners have come across their four away matches in the Champions League (5.25 per game), showing that Arsenal can still maintain a decent corner count when on the road. There isn’t a better side in Europe at the moment than Arsenal when it comes to dictating the tempo and direction of a game. Arteta’s side are always in complete control and rarely allow their opponents to get a foothold in the contest.

Leverkusen have conceded 20 corners across their five home matches in the Champions League this term (4.00 per game). Arsenal are the perfect side to force a rise in this average, and should be able to impose themselves on Leverkusen to register at least five corners in this clash, with set pieces being a key weapon in Arsenal’s armoury this season.

It’s almost impossible to go against Arsenal in the Champions League at the moment. I grew up with Arsenal being a nearly side in the Champions League - or out of the competition altogether - but Arteta has made them serious competitors and a side that is suited to knockout football with how good they are defensively.

Arsenal have won all eight of their Champions League matches this season, making them the only side to do so in the group stage. They scored more goals than any other side (23). They conceded fewer than any other side (4), so it is no exaggeration to say that Arsenal have been the best side in Europe so far this season - and they should be able to go deep in the competition given the bracket that they’ve been drawn into.

Leverkusen had to battle through a playoff round to reach the last 16, and, truthfully, don’t really have the quality to go toe-to-toe with Arsenal. I think they’ll look pragmatic, but Arsenal will eventually find a way through this, given their ability on set pieces and their general dominance in European matches.

Bayer Leverkusen saw out a goalless stalemate in their last Champions League outing, which ensured they progressed to the next round.

The German side secured a 2-0 win in the first leg, but this time they will play the first leg at home. Leverkusen have also been dealt a much more difficult draw, as they will face Premier League table-toppers Arsenal. The Gunners finished top of the charts in the league phase, with a flawless record of eight wins from eight. 

Leverkusen will know the importance of taking a positive result to the Emirates in the second leg, and Alex Grimaldo will be a player to watch for the hosts. The Spaniard is given plenty of attacking license on the left wing, and he scored against Man City at the Etihad Stadium back in round five of the Champions League. 

After getting a favourable draw against Olympiacos in the Champions League playoff round, Leverkusen have been given a much tougher matchup for the round of 16. They host Arsenal in the first leg on Wednesday night, and it could be a difficult night for the German side. 

Edmond Tapsoba, in particular, could have his hands full, as he will most likely draw the matchup of Bukayo Saka on the flank. Alex Grimaldo often looks to push forward into advanced areas, meaning Tapsoba has to cover plenty of ground on the defensive front. Saka has recently returned from injury and has drawn 11 fouls in his last five starts. He is averaging 2.15 fouls drawn per 90 this season. 

Tapsoba is only averaging 0.9 fouls draw per 90 this season, which is nothing spectacular. Still, he has landed this selection in each of his last four matches, and this promises to be one of his toughest matchups of the season.