Bayer Leverkusen duo make surprise Arsenal claim ahead of Champions League draw

Bayer Leverkusen could meet Arsenal in the Champions League last 16 which will be drawn this Friday in Nyon, Switzerland

Bayer Leverkusen duo Robert Andrich and Jonas Hofmann have indicated they want to face Arsenal in the Champions League last 16 just so they don’t face an early blockbuster clash against Bayern Munich.

The Germany international pair were looking ahead to Friday’s knockout draw after seeing off Olympiacos [2-0 aggregate] in the play-off round.

When asked who they would prefer to square off against, there was no real hesitance from either player.

Andrich said: “We knew from the start that we would face a top club anyway. I stand by my opinion, I would prefer not to face a German team, so that perhaps enough German teams can still stay in the competition.”

Hofmann was also in agreement: “I think it’s a bit too early for a German-German tie. It doesn’t have this Champions League character somehow. So if I could have my wish, then Arsenal. It would be a bit cooler to travel to London and for them to come here.”

Arsenal are set to face either Leverkusen or the winner of Atalanta versus Borussia Dortmund [0-2] for a place in the quarter-finals.

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At this stage, a trip to Germany is looking likely and the Gunners will also discover their potential roadmap to Budapest – quarter-final and semi-final opponents – during Friday’s draw.

If Arsenal draw Leverkusen, who they haven’t played against in the Champions League since 2002, they will still be able to field loanee Piero Hincapie.

Hincapie is currently on loan from Bayer but UEFA rules state loan players are allowed to feature against their parents clubs. The last 16 ties are due to take place on March 10/11 and March 17/18.

Leverkusen are currently sixth in the Bundesliga standings and are wrestling to get themselves into the Champions League qualification spots.

Meanwhile, Arsenal are juggling their Premier League title hopes and they’ll also have the Carabao Cup final to think about after the second leg of their last 16 tie.

The Gunners are bidding to go one better in Europe this term after faltering at the semi-final stage last May against Paris Saint-Germain.

Following a full week of training, they are back in Premier League action on Sunday when they host Chelsea, who they beat in the Carabao Cup semi-finals earlier this month.

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