Arsenal faces Bayer Leverkusen tonight for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 match.
Mikel Arteta’s team enters the game as strong favourites, maintaining a perfect record in this season’s Champions League. However, Leverkusen has a noteworthy track record against Premier League teams in knockout rounds.
Although Leverkusen has a mixed overall record against English teams, they have advanced in four out of five two-legged ties against Premier League clubs.
Bayer Leverkusen vs Liverpool – 2001/02 UCL quarter-finals (agg: 4-3)
Leverkusen’s impressive 2001/02 squad made it to the Champions League final, overcoming English teams along the way. They had previously lost to Arsenal in the second group stage but topped that group.
Klaus Topmoller’s team mounted a strong comeback against Liverpool in the quarter-finals. After Liverpool took a 1-0 lead in the first leg, Leverkusen turned the tie in the second leg, winning 4-2.
📅 Michael Ballack scores twice – including THIS effort – #OTD in 2002 🚀#UCL | #OnThisDay | @bayer04_en pic.twitter.com/Mm655mFnCo
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 9, 2020
A thrilling match saw Lucio score late, along with goals from Michael Ballack (2) and Dimitar Berbatov, sending Leverkusen through.
Bayer Leverkusen vs Man United – 2001/02 UCL semi-finals (agg: 3-3, Leverkusen win on away goals)
After defeating Liverpool, Leverkusen made a significant impact in the semi-finals against Manchester United. They equalized three times in the tie.
Goals from Ballack and Oliver Neuville brought the first leg to a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford, and Neuville also equalized in the second leg to secure advancement on away goals.
⏪ Oliver Neuville sends Leverkusen to the final, #OTD in 2002!@bayer04_en | #UCL pic.twitter.com/8K1YZrAUoR
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 30, 2021
They eventually lost to Real Madrid in the final, with Zinedine Zidane scoring a stunning volley.
Bayer Leverkusen vs Liverpool – 2004/05 UCL last 16 (agg: 2-6)
Leverkusen’s only knockout defeat to an English team occurred in 2004/05 when they faced Liverpool, who won both legs with ease.
Rafael Benitez’s team secured a 3-1 victory in each leg, with Luis Garcia netting three goals throughout the tie.
1 – Bayer Leverkusen have progressed from four of their five major European knockout ties against English clubs, but the one time they were knocked out – Liverpool in the 2004-05 UEFA Champions League – went on to win the trophy that season. History. pic.twitter.com/WnoSuzHJD9
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 27, 2026
This win marked the beginning of Liverpool’s journey to Champions League victory that season.
Bayer Leverkusen vs Blackburn – 2006/07 UEFA Cup last 16 (agg: 3-2)
Leverkusen defeated Blackburn in the UEFA Cup’s last 16 during the 2006/07 season, ending Blackburn’s European hopes. The first game ended 3-2 in favor of Leverkusen.
David Bentley equalized for Blackburn after Jan-Ingwer Callsen-Bracker scored first for Leverkusen, but further goals from Carsten Ramelow and Bernd Schneider put the Germans ahead.
Blackburn’s Shabani Nonda scored late to create tension, but a goalless second leg ensured Leverkusen moved forward.
Bayer Leverkusen vs West Ham – 2023/24 UEL quarter-finals (agg: 3-1)
Late goals from Jonas Hofmann and Victor Boniface gave Leverkusen a solid victory at the BayArena, helping them finish the season as German champions without any losses.
🔨 Leverkusen 𝙃𝘼𝙈𝙈𝙀𝙍𝙀𝘿 West Ham in the first leg…
𝟳𝟮% possession 🔢
𝟯𝟯 shots 🥅
𝟮-𝟬 win ✅ pic.twitter.com/LfscH9XEjL— LiveScore (@livescore) April 11, 2024
Though Michail Antonio’s goal in the return leg raised hopes for West Ham, Jeremie Frimpong’s late goal dashed those dreams.
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