Bayer Leverkusen's director is pleased to face Arsenal in the Champions League.

Bayer Leverkusen's sporting director, Simon Rolfes, stated he is content to face Arsenal in the Champions League round of 16 after the draw.

UEFA has determined the matchups and brackets for this season's Champions League following the draw ceremony on the evening of February 27th. Among them, the group stage leader Arsenal will face Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16. The winner of this tie will meet either Bodo/Glimt or Sporting Lisbon in the quarter-finals.

Commenting on the draw result, Bayer Leverkusen's sporting director, Simon Rolfes, declared he is happy to encounter Arsenal in the round of 16.

"I am very pleased with the draw result," Metro quoted Rolfes as saying. "In sporting terms, both are clearly top opponents. But firstly, we will face two former players of ours, Kai Havertz and Piero Hincapie; secondly, we get to play against a foreign team. That is exactly the kind of challenge you compete for in the Champions League."

"They (Arsenal) possess an extremely high-quality squad, strong physically, technically refined, with good speed, and very well-organized and fluid in their play. In recent years, they have genuinely improved their game season by season. Therefore, they are among the top contenders in the Champions League and also the leading contender in the Premier League.", Rolfes further remarked. "They are a formidable opponent, but facing players like that is also very exciting."

Before the draw took place, Bayer Leverkusen could have faced Bayern Munich or Arsenal. Compared to the Bavarians, whom they frequently encounter in the Bundesliga, Arsenal certainly represents a fresher and more intriguing experience for Leverkusen.

Rolfes also revealed he remains in contact with Havertz and messaged him after the draw. Leverkusen's director is excited to welcome the German star back. He also shared an interesting fact about Havertz's departure from Leverkusen.

"It's great that he moved to Chelsea during the Covid period, that was a very significant farewell for us. That deal laid the foundation for the club in the following years, and he truly left his mark here," Rolfes said.

"But also because of Covid, we never had the atmosphere or a proper chance to say goodbye, even though we met again later. This time, I think it will be a very special occasion for him to return to the BayArena, and for Piero (Hincapie) as well," he added.

According to the schedule, the round of 16 matches will take place on March 10/11 and 17/18, 2026. Teams advancing from this round will continue along the predetermined bracket until the final on May 30, 2026, in Budapest.