Kai Havertz Haunts Former Club Leverkusen, Rescues Arsenal With Late Penalty

LEVERKUSEN, Germany: Kai Havertz, the German international who spent a decade at Bayer Leverkusen before leaving for Chelsea in 2020, delivered a dramatic late penalty to secure a 1‑1 draw for Arsenal in the Champions League last‑16 first leg at the BayArena on Wednesday.

Havertz, who joined Arsenal after his spell at Chelsea, was introduced in the second half as the Gunners chased an equalizer. He calmly slotted away a penalty in the 89th minute, leveling the score and denying his former club a crucial home victory.

The forward’s return to Leverkusen marked an emotional homecoming. Having spent 10 formative years at the Bundesliga side — from the academy to the senior team — Havertz knows the BayArena intimately, and his composure under pressure reflected that deep connection.

Leverkusen had taken the lead shortly after halftime through a Robert Andrich header, capitalizing on a set-piece that caught Arsenal off guard. The home side dominated possession for much of the game, testing Arsenal’s defensive organization repeatedly.

Arsenal, however, remained patient. Manager Mikel Arteta opted to introduce Havertz in the second half to add creativity and composure to the attack. His influence was immediate, culminating in the decisive penalty that ensured the Gunners left Germany with a valuable away goal.

For Havertz personally, the match carried significant emotion. He developed into a star at Leverkusen before departing for Chelsea, where he won the Champions League in 2021, and later moved to Arsenal. This return to his boyhood club offered a rare opportunity to perform on a familiar stage, this time against his former teammates.

The draw leaves the tie finely poised ahead of the second leg at Emirates Stadium, where Arsenal will aim to convert the away goal advantage into a quarter-final berth. Havertz’s late intervention ensures the Gunners maintain momentum and confidence heading back to London.

Havertz’s performance underscores his reputation as a decisive big-game player. From Leverkusen academy standout to Champions League performer for Arsenal, the German forward continues to write new chapters in his career while paying homage to the club where it all began.