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The games show no signs of slowing down, as we hop from competition, to competition… and that’s the way we like it, because it means we’re still involved, and still determined in our quest, to win all 4 trophies. The Premier League, the Champions League, the FA Cup, and the Carabao Cup.

Now I know the Arsenal players probably won’t be thinking about winning all 4, but the longer we’re in every competition, the more us fans will dare to dream!

First thing’s first though… we’re away to Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League. A tough game, and no doubt an emotional one, for ex-Leverkusen players Kai Havertz… and more recently, Piero Hincapie.

We need to take a positive result back to The Emirates, and hopefully it’s a healthy lead, so nervousness in the second leg, can be kept to a minimum.

Bayern Leverkusen are on the back of a 3-3 draw, away to SC Freiburg… and The Gunners are on the back of a 2-1 win, away to Mansfield in the FA Cup.

Arteta recalled all of the “Big Guns” to the starting line-up.

It was a 4-2-3-1 formation. David Raya was back in goal, Hincapie at left-back, Gabriel and Saliba, central… and Timber at right-back.

The midfield was Zubimendi, and Rice… and in front of them, was Martinelli on the left… Eze in the middle, and Saka on the left.

Viktor Gyokeres was again, up front on his own.

We started the game well, keeping the ball, patient in our build-up… and were very assured in our passing.

The Arsenal have been formidable in the Champions League this season, and we looked like a team brimming with confidence.

Unfortunately though, as the half progressed… the simple passes were made to look difficult, and Leverkusen started winning the 50-50 balls. Naturally, this gave them confidence, and they had a couple of half chances… but nothing to really trouble David Raya.

The game suddenly became a scrappy encounter, and we were not in control, AT ALL.

Martinelli hit the bar with a powerful left-foot shot, but apart from that… our attack had the cutting edge, of a plastic spoon. Very little else to report from that first half, and it finished 0-0.

The Gunners needed a better performance in the second half, they’re hoping to get anything out of this game.

We had the worst possible start to the second half though, and conceded a goal in the first minute.

Bayern Leverkusen forced a corner, and from the resulting corner, the centre-back Andrich… headed the ball into the net, unchallenged. It was sloppy defending, so we only have ourselves to blame. 1-0 to Leverkusen… and all I could think was… LEVE IT OUT!!

A response was needed. A response was expected. A response looked unlikely though, as we were still not playing well… and looked like we were still shellshocked, from conceding that early second half goal.

WAAAAKE UUUUP AAAARSENAAAAL!! I shouted at my TV, like somehow the players would hear me, and suddenly start playing good football.

So frustrating, as we were clearly playing within ourselves… and none of the “Big players” stepped up, to grab the game by the scruff of neck, and make something happen.

Speaking of big players, Saka was replaced by Madueke, in the 60th minute. The Starboy, by his own high standards, was ineffective on that right-hand side… and struggled to beat his man, on multiple occasions. I hope he’s not carrying an injury.

The 1-0 deficit was making the time tick away on fast-forward, and our attacking prowess seemed to be on pause, and this performance was definitely one NOT to record.

Havertz came on for Gyokeres, in the 74^th minute… but the way we were playing, I wasn’t confident that his introduction would make a difference.

I prayed silently, to be wrong… but still… nothing changed.

Jesus replaced Eze, in the 82^nd minute, and it felt like the last, LAST… last, roll of the dice.

I didn’t feel much like gambling on us getting the job done, in the second leg roulette wheel… but here we are.

Unbelievably, we were awarded a penalty in the 89^th minute, after a driving run from Noni Madueke… panicked the defender, into bringing him down in box.

VAR checked, and then they checked again… and the penalty stood! What an opportunity for The Gunners, to fire our first meaningful shot, in this tie.

Up stepped Kai Havertz… the player who played for Bayern Leverkusen, for four years.

Up stepped Cobra Kai… to bite his former team… and inject equalising venom, into the veins of the club that’s near, and dear to his heart. LEVE THE EMOTION OUT OF IT… I thought loudly, but couldn’t say the words… due to my fervent prayers, for him to score. (HAHAHA!)

King Kai placed the ball down on the spot… he took a deep breath, while I held mine… he did a stuttered run-up… and… he slotted the ball past the keeper. Low, and hard! GOOOAAAAAL!!! What a way to dispatch a pressure penalty. 1-1 and Havertz once again showed, that he’s a player for the big occasion.

The match finished 1-1, and we got away with one there, because we didn’t play well. We looked flat, lacked fluidity, and the sloppiness we showed both offensively, and defensively… was a concern.

Though saying all of that, we must be commended for finding a way to NOT lose the game, while not at our best.

Arteta must also be given great credit, for bringing on Madueke… who looked dangerous on the right, after replacing Saka. It was a brave substitution, and the bravery paid off.

It’s half-time in the tie now, until the second leg next week. We have Everton in the Premier League at home, before that game… and it’s another MUST WIN fixture.

We kick-off before Mancheatster City, and have the chance to go 10 points clear at the top.

Everton have been excellent away from home of late, so we’ll need a colossal performance, to get the 3 points against them.

We just played our 46^th game in all competitions… was that a contributing factor of our lacklustre performance?

Do you think Saka’s injury has affected his mobility?

How do you think Arteta can get more from the attacking players?

Let me know in the comments as usual. COYG!!