Preview: Arsenal looking to get the job done against Bayer LeverkusenShareArsenal face part two of what might be a majestic week for them, hoping to knock out Bayer Leverkusen from the Champions League – after opening a nine-point gap at the top of the Premier League – and before heading to Wembley in the Carabao Cup final.By Karl MatchettTrophies from all angles remain on the agenda for the Gunners, while their German opponents are still facing a real fight just to make it back into this competition next time around.On the right side of fine marginsIf a team is repeatedly fortunate, is it actually by design? Arsenal have faced the “lucky” tags at times this season – not least of all when it comes to the luck of the draw in all three cup competitions – but in results terms they keep coming down on the right side of the smallest margins. In the six games since conceding a stoppage-time equaliser to Wolves, Arsenal have hammered Tottenham and then scraped by five times: by a goal versus ten-man Chelsea, by a goal at Brighton, by a goal in the FA Cup against League One Mansfield, with a very late penalty in the first leg against Leverkusen and with two very late goals last time out at home to Everton. Mikel Arteta might keep searching for improvements but his side certainly still keep finding a way, somehow, to be celebrating at full time.Same again here and it’s (almost certainly) just Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt standing between them and a second successive Champions League semi-final.Spanish duo the dangerIf Arteta has any part of the B04 team in his sights to worry about, it might be his two compatriots: wing-back Alejandro Grimaldo and, just inside his space, central midfielder Aleix García. Both are the German side’s top assisters in the Bundesliga, Grimaldo is second-top scorer in the league and he has both most goals and assists in Europe. It’s not a simple case of stop them, stop Leverkusen – but they are undoubtedly a cohesive part of the side with creativity and great movement between them.Recent formIt’s 13 unbeaten for Arsenal but just one win in eight for Leverkusen heading into this clash, after turning into draw specialists recently. They’d take another and play for penalties if offered it.Team newsMikel Merino and Martin Ødegaard remain out for Arsenal, while Jurrien Timber is set to miss this match but Leandro Trossard is available.For Leverkusen, each of Mark Flekken, Lucas Vázquez, Loïc Badé and Arthur are missing.Key playerEberechi Eze has shown of late that he deserves to be a starter in a top team – but in the Champions League he has just the one assist this term from six starts. He creates two chances a game on a per 90 basis but has only managed one shot on target in his 503 European minutes. Needs to do a bit more while Ødegaard is missing if he wants to be in the side come the title-defining matches.PredictionArsenal to get the job done; whether it’s set pieces or late goals they need, they’ll get over the line: Arsenal 2-1 Leverkusen (agg 3-2).(Cover image from IMAGO)You can follow every game from the Champions League with FotMob this season – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.Preview: Arsenal looking to get the job done against Bayer LeverkusenArsenal face part two of what might be a majestic week for them, hoping to knock out Bayer Leverkusen from the Champions League – after opening a nine-point gap at the top of the Premier League – and before heading to Wembley in the Carabao Cup final.By Karl MatchettTrophies from all angles remain on the agenda for the Gunners, while their German opponents are still facing a real fight just to make it back into this competition next time around.On the right side of fine marginsIf a team is repeatedly fortunate, is it actually by design? Arsenal have faced the “lucky” tags at times this season – not least of all when it comes to the luck of the draw in all three cup competitions – but in results terms they keep coming down on the right side of the smallest margins. In the six games since conceding a stoppage-time equaliser to Wolves, Arsenal have hammered Tottenham and then scraped by five times: by a goal versus ten-man Chelsea, by a goal at Brighton, by a goal in the FA Cup against League One Mansfield, with a very late penalty in the first leg against Leverkusen and with two very late goals last time out at home to Everton. Mikel Arteta might keep searching for improvements but his side certainly still keep finding a way, somehow, to be celebrating at full time.Same again here and it’s (almost certainly) just Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt standing between them and a second successive Champions League semi-final.Spanish duo the dangerIf Arteta has any part of the B04 team in his sights to worry about, it might be his two compatriots: wing-back Alejandro Grimaldo and, just inside his space, central midfielder Aleix García. Both are the German side’s top assisters in the Bundesliga, Grimaldo is second-top scorer in the league and he has both most goals and assists in Europe. It’s not a simple case of stop them, stop Leverkusen – but they are undoubtedly a cohesive part of the side with creativity and great movement between them.Recent formIt’s 13 unbeaten for Arsenal but just one win in eight for Leverkusen heading into this clash, after turning into draw specialists recently. They’d take another and play for penalties if offered it.Team newsMikel Merino and Martin Ødegaard remain out for Arsenal, while Jurrien Timber is set to miss this match but Leandro Trossard is available.For Leverkusen, each of Mark Flekken, Lucas Vázquez, Loïc Badé and Arthur are missing.Key playerEberechi Eze has shown of late that he deserves to be a starter in a top team – but in the Champions League he has just the one assist this term from six starts. He creates two chances a game on a per 90 basis but has only managed one shot on target in his 503 European minutes. Needs to do a bit more while Ødegaard is missing if he wants to be in the side come the title-defining matches.PredictionArsenal to get the job done; whether it’s set pieces or late goals they need, they’ll get over the line: Arsenal 2-1 Leverkusen (agg 3-2).(Cover image from IMAGO)You can follow every game from the Champions League with FotMob this season – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.