Arsenal travel to the BayArena hoping to extend their perfect Champions League season against a struggling Leverkusen side.
The Gunners breezed through the league phase with eight straight wins, scoring 23 goals and conceding just four to finish top.
Leverkusen currently sit sixth in the Bundesliga and needed a play-off victory over Olympiacos to reach the last 16 after finishing 16th in the league phase.
Arsenal are looking to go deep in the Champions League – a competition they are yet to win having lost in the final in 2006.
Their only previous European meetings with Bayer Leverkusen came in the second group stage in 2001-02, drawing 1-1 away and winning 4-1 at Highbury.
The German side had a playful dig at Arsenal’s set-piece prowess earlier on Wednesday. Here’s how the sides line up this evening.
Bayer Leverkusen Team News
Leverkusen have several injury problems to contend with. Mark Flekken, Loic Bade, Arthur, Lucas Vazquez, Eliesse Ben Seghir, Nathan Tella and Patrik Schick have all been injured.
Czech forward Schick is fit enough to take his place on the bench as teenager Christian Kofane continues to lead the attack.
Former Liverpool man Jarell Quansah starts in central defence, while Alejandro Grimaldo remains a key attacking outlet from wing-back and a major threat from set pieces.
Leverkusen XI: Janis Blaswich, Edmond Tapsoba, Robert Andrich, Jarell Quansah, Alejandro Grimaldo, Aleix García, Exequiel Palacios, Ernest Poku, Ibrahim Maza, Martin Terrier, Christian Kofane
Arsenal Team News
Arsenal had concerns over William Saliba but the France defender is fit to start, though Martin Odegaard and Ben White do miss out. White is on the bench.
Leandro Trossard and Riccardo Calafiori were also withdrawn during FA Cup win at the weekend, and while Calafiori is a replacement there is no place for Trossard. Kai Havertz is also on the bench against his former club.
Arsenal XI: TBC
Where to watch Bayer Leverkusen v Arsenal: TV and online streams
The match is the early kick-off on Wednesday and will be broadcast at 5:45pm UK time. You can watch it on TNT Sports and stream via the discovery+ app.
To watch elsewhere in the world, click HERE to find your local rights holder.
The stats for Bayer Leverkusen v Arsenal
Arsenal won all eight of their Champions League league phase matches
The Gunners scored 23 goals and conceded just four in the league phase
Leverkusen are unbeaten in their last six home matches in all competitions
The German side have conceded only one goal in those six home games
Arsenal have scored at least two goals in eight of their last 11 away matches
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