Arsenal are the desired Champions League round of 16 opponent for Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes, who is eager to avoid an all-German draw.
Given how the league phase of the Champions League ended, it would be reasonable to assume that Arsenal are the team nobody wants to face.
Mikel Arteta’s Gunners won eight from eight and were the only team to do so, further flexing their strength by only conceding four goals in that time.
While Arsenal’s form is daunting to those looking at the table, the North Londoners are Bayer Leverkusen’s sporting director, Rolfes, desired opponent for two main reasons.
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Bayer Leverkusen’s Simon Rolfes wants to face Arsenal in the Champions League because of Kai Havertz and Bayern Munich
The two reasons? The chance to reunite with Kai Havertz and the ideal scenario to avoid Bayern Munich.
Though Arsenal and Bayern are considered to be Europe’s two best teams this season, Rolfes’ reason for wanting to avoid the Bavarians is simply due to variation.
He told BILD in the mixed zone that he’d like some ‘variety’ away from Leverkusen’s Bundesliga rivals.
“They are two of the best teams in Europe, they play at the same level. That’s great. We want to play against the best,” he said.
“We’re looking forward to this big challenge. Four games in one month against Bayern? With Arsenal, there might be a bit of variety.”
Rolfes’ decision made sense, given that the draw will be a tough one for Leverkusen either way, but his other reason for wanting to face the Gunners was Havertz.
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“It would be great if we were drawn against Arsenal. Then we could finally say goodbye to Kai Havertz at our stadium – almost six years after his departure,” Rolfes explained.
“I was recently in contact with Kai. He would also be happy to see us again. He was keeping his fingers crossed for us to advance.”
Havertz spent 10 years at Leverkusen, rising from a youngster in the academy to a first-team hero, paving his move to the Premier League in 2020.
Having departed with 77 goal contributions in 150 appearances for his boyhood club, it’s no surprise that Leverkusen want to see him again, and the feeling is mutual.
The draw for the Champions League round of 16 will be made on Friday morning at 11:00.
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