Article by Tudor Belivacă – Published Wednesday, March 11, 2026 9:54 p.m. / Updated Wednesday, March 11, 2026 9:59 p.m.
Arsenal benefited from an easy penalty awarded in the last minutes of the game with Bayer Leverkusenin the round of 16 of the Champions League, score 1-1. The light contact even passed the VAR checks, but the “central” Umut Meler was not called to the monitor.
The penalty mattered a lot: Kai Havertz scored from the penalty spot, and Arsenal managed to get a point at Bayer Leverkusen's arena.
The qualifier will be played at the Emirates Stadium on March 17, from 22:00.
PHOTO. Easy penalty for Arsenal in the round of 16 with Bayer Leverkusen
Noni Madueke, who came on after Andrich scored the 1-0 goal for Bayern Leverkusen, had a fantastic run down the right flank. The winger from Arsenal passed between two defenders, and Tillman, the winger from Leverkusen slipped in.
There was no contact on the legs, but Madueke's leg was caught just under the torso of Tillman, who was sliding. Meler immediately pointed to the lime dot and began the video verification of the phases.
Umut Meler was not called to the monitor and Kai Havertz executed and scored, but not without emotions: Blaswich guessed the corner, but the execution was too good to be stopped.
The reactions did not hesitate to appear after the decision to award the penalty. Matt Upson, former Arsenal defender, immediately commented for the BBC.
It comes from the fact that Madueke is doing what he has done since he came on the pitch, he is attacking the players. Madueke lands a little light for me but there is contact and it's enough for VAR to say “we'll stay away from that”
–Matt Upsondefender with 56 matches for the “gunners”
Those from Bild, one of Germany's main newspapers, also commented on the incident in the final sequences of the game: “A controversial penalty saves Arsenal! Tilman fouls Madueke in the box, barely touching him. VAR reviews the phase, but the controversial penalty is upheld. How bitter for Bayer.”
On social media, fans were much more vehement.
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“Arsenal rob Leverkusen. This is not a penalty”
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“The refereeing was disastrous at Arsenal-Leverkusen”
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“This was NEVER a penalty for Arsenal. They got so lucky with it. I can understand if the Leverkusen fans feel robbed”
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“How can that be a penalty, I don't know. It's disgusting. Arsenal should be a team that can beat Leverkusen, but how is that a penalty?”
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“Shame on the penalty they just gave to Arsenal. The VAR doesn't help at all and they still don't get it”
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“What's the use of VAR if the referee gives every stupid thing, the VAR guys don't call him to review and Leverkusen can't ask for a review?”
