Arsenal came from behind to draw with Bayer Leverkusen and there was plenty for Mikel Arteta to take back to London with him.
A late penalty from Kai Havertz was enough to bring things level and Arsenal will now need to get the job done at home to ensure their quadruple dreams remain alive.
There was plenty to like and some things not to like about the performance, and we’ve highlighted THREE of the items that will be on Mikel Arteta’s agenda.
Bukayo Saka’s worrying performance
Over the last few years, it has been Bukayo Saka who has been Arsenal’s Mr Consistent even when things aren’t going too well.
However, on a night when the game lacked any real quality and the front players were largely nullified, Saka’s performance overall was a tad concerning.
What went wrong for Bukayo Saka against Bayer Leverkusen?
Indeed, he was hooked by Mikel Arteta and in a strange way, Saka looked almost like he’d played too much football and there was a weight on his shoulders.
With a tricky run to come and plenty of games, Mikel Arteta will need to manage Saka perfectly to ensure we get the best from him. Based on tonight’s showing, that form is a long way away.
Arsenal’s spirit can win them trophies
Much has been said about Arsenal’s style of play this season and how they have just about got the job done in certain games.
But sometimes, that style goes out of the window – what it might be – and it simply comes down to hanging in there as a group and making sure you come away with a result.
Arsenal did just that tonight and Havertz’s penalty was just rewards for a Gunners side who needed to bring something back to London.
With the scores now level again, Arsenal can be confident of making it through.
Leverkusen have shown a blueprint for getting at Gabriel
We see so often how Gabriel and Saliba are almost impossible to bother but tonight in Leverkusen we saw a young striker lay down a blueprint for how it’s done.
Leverkusen’s young forward Christian Kofane very much had Gabriel on the ropes and it was the sort of performance that makes you stand up and take notice.
Many years ago, we heard how Cristiano Ronaldo impressed Man United’s players so much that United went out and signed him.
Could Kofane have done the same tonight? It would be no surprise at all to see Arsenal linked with him at some point.
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