Werkself review #ARSB04: ‘Gain important experience from these twelve games’

Summary: Never gave up against unruffled Gunners

The Werkself started well and confident on the ball. However, as the game progressed, the visitors found it increasingly difficult to break free from Arsenal's pressing. Keeper Janis Blaswich kept Bayer 04 in the game making several saves to deny promising chances from Gabriel (9’, 21’), Leandro Trossard (15’, 29’) and Ben White (32’). The Werkself keeper was helpless four minutes later: Eberechi Eze fired in a volley from distance to give the Gunners a 1-0 lead (36'). After the break, Bayer 04 managed to mount their own attacks - but it was the hosts who scored next through Declan Rice (63'). Despite all their efforts - the best opportunity to reply came from Christian Kofane (87') - Leverkusen were unable to reduce the deficit and were thus eliminated from the UEFA Champions League by a dominant Arsenal side.

• Match report

Reaction: "Not as far away as it might feel right now"

Head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke at the press conference afterwards: "It was a difficult game against a very strong team. They have a clear structured and have great physical qualities in particular. We did well at the start, but then came under a lot of pressure and made mistakes in our build-up play as a result. It wasn't enough going forward, we didn't get through their lines. We improved in the second half, but of course it's extremely difficult after conceding the second goal." The Dane added with regard to his team and their journey in the UCL, which has now come to an end: "We've gained an incredible amount of important experience from these twelve games, especially the young players. We're not as far away as it might feel right now. We've got better and better throughout the competition. Our goal is to close the gap to the top teams over the long term."

Keeper Janis Blaswich shared his views in the mixed zone: "I think Arsenal played differently today than in the first leg - a bit more aggressive and dangerous. And we didn't do as well as we did in the first leg, we have to accept that. Overall, we didn't do enough to really get into the game. In the end, it wasn’t the day we needed against Arsenal."

• Post-match reaction
• Post-match press conference

What the papers say: Top marks for keeper Blaswich

The kicker headline after the game: "Eze and Rice beat Leverkusen: Arsenal advance to the quarter-finals with superior display.. The Bild Zeitung summed the match up: "The result is fully deserved. Arsenal had numerous chances in the first half. [...] Although the Gunners sat deeper in the second half, they were still dangerous on the counter-attack. In addition, the Werkself repeatedly made mistakes that were followed by Declan Rice making it 2-0. Unfortunately, Bayer 04 were unable to convert the large amount of possession they had in the final 20 minutes into a goal." Our colleagues at the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger took a similar view and summed up the game as follows: "Bayer 04 wanted to celebrate their biggest success in European football since the 2002 Champions League final on Tuesday night. [...] But Leverkusen made far too many mistakes, beating themselves against the London team who were by no means out of this world. The 2-0 scoreline was fair as Bayer 04 hardly created any chances over the entire match and were far too vulnerable in defence."

The KStA also gave top marks to keeper Janis Blaswich as did the Rheinische Post describing him as "always alert when things got dicey".

Personnel: Blaswich and Grimaldo with top numbers

Janis Blaswich saved ten shots in this match, making him the first goalkeeper to make ten saves in a Champions League match since Nikita Haikin of FK Bodø/Glimt against Juventus on 25 November 2025 (12 saves). Alejandro Grimaldo created 28 chances - the joint-highest tally in the current 2025/26 Champions League campaign (together with Arda Güler).

Stats: More possession but no goals

At the end of the game, the Black and Reds had over 58 per cent possession and the better pass completion (88 per cent; Arsenal: 83 per cent). However, the picture was different when it came to attempts on goal: Arsenal had 21 shots on goal compared to 9 for the Werkself, while the Gunners won 56.5 per cent of duels.

Next up: Away to Heidenheim in the Bundesliga

The Werkself face bottom-of-the-table FC Heidenheim 1846 on Saturday, 21 March on Bundesliga matchday 21. The kick-off at the Voith Arena is at 15:30 CET. That fixture is followed by the final international break of the season.