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Leverkusen stars make surprise Arsenal claim ahead of Champions League draw | Football
Bayer Leverkusen star Robert Andrich is adamant he would rather avoid Bayern Munich in the last 16 of the Champions League, even if it would put his side on collision course with Arsenal.
Kasper Hjulmand’s booked their place in the first knockout round following a goalless draw against Olympiacos last night which saw them protect their two-goal advantage from the first leg.
Leverkusen know they will face a daunting task however Friday’s draw pans out but Andrich insists it’s far too early to be contemplating an all-German tie.
He 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.’
Those sentiments were echoed by Jonah Hoffman, who added: ‘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.
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Who can the Premier League teams play?
Arsenal
Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen or Atalanta
Chelsea
Newcastle, Monaco or PSG
Liverpool
Atletico Madrid, Galatasaray or Juventus
Man City
Bodo/Glimt, Real Madrid or Benfica
Tottenham
Atletico Madrid, Galatasaray or Juventus
Newcastle
Chelsea or Barcelona
‘It would be a bit cooler to travel to London and for them to come here.’
Arsenal last faced Leverkusen in Europe’s most prestigious club competition back in 2002 during the second group stage.
The Gunners thrashed the eventual finalists that year 4-1 at Highbury and earned a creditable draw away from home, but it was their German opponents that ultimately qualified for the latter stages along with Deportivo Lacoruna.
Arsenal were among the favourites for the competition that year and are among the favourites again after they swept all before them in the league stage.
Who can the other teams play?
Barcelona
Newcastle, Monaco or PSG
Bayern Munich
Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen
Sporting
Bodo/Glimt, Real Madrid or Benfica
With eight wins from eight games, including a convincing 3-1 victory over Bayern Munich, Arsenal would be firmly expected to progress were they to meet Leverkusen next but sporting director Simon Rolfes is up for the challenge.
He said: ‘Arsenal would be nice. I said the same thing when we could’ve faced Dortmund in the previous round.
‘Especially that we would be able to meet two of our former players in Kai Havertz and Piero Hincapie.
‘Nobody wants these ties between teams from the same country.’
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