Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen Prediction: Arsenal's penultimate game before season starts

Arsenal will go head to head against Bayer Leverkusen at Emirates Stadium in the Club Friendlies. This is Arsenal's penultimate game before the season starts. Who will come out on top after 90 minutes?

After humorously suggesting that Arsenal would need 114 points to outdo Manchester City for the 2024-25 Premier League title, following two seasons as runners-up, Arsenal hypothetically dropped three points in their final all-Premier League clash in the USA.

Even though they were missing several international stars, Arsenal fielded a strong XI in Philadelphia. However, they struggled to contain Harvey Elliott, who set up both Fabio Carvalho and Mohamed Salah, giving Liverpool an early 2-0 lead.

Kai Havertz managed to score just before halftime, but Liverpool's solid defense held firm in the second half. Despite Arsenal's efforts, their lack of finishing touch proved costly at Lincoln Financial Field.

The defeat to Arne Slot’s side marked Arsenal's first loss in an otherwise successful pre-season, which included wins over Preston North End and Manchester United, as well as a draw with Bournemouth, followed by a victory in a penalty shootout.

Back in North London, Arsenal are set for their penultimate summer exhibition match in midweek. After facing Leverkusen, they will take on Lyon in the Emirates Cup on August 11, their traditional season curtain-raiser.

Hein; White, Timber, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Partey, Havertz; Nelson, Jesus, Martinelli

Nearly two decades after his midfield battles with Arteta in Merseyside derbies, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s compatriot, Alonso, returns to English soil. Alonso now boasts Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal medals, having mirrored the Gunners' Invincibles heroes of 2003-04.

Leverkusen dropped just 12 points en route to a thrilling German top-flight triumph and narrowly defeated Kaiserslautern in the DFB-Pokal, thanks to a stunning goal from ex-Arsenal player Granit Xhaka. However, they fell to Atalanta BC's Ademola Lookman in the Europa League final.

Following their season of remarkable success, during which Leverkusen set a new record for the longest unbeaten run by a European club since the inception of UEFA competitions, Alonso’s squad has had a steady pre-season. They secured a 2-1 win over Rot-Weiss Essen before a 2-2 draw against Lens, where they twice took the lead but failed to maintain it. They are set to host Real Betis in their final friendly three days after facing Arsenal.

Hradecky; Kossounou, Tah, Hincapie; Tella, Garcia, Xhaka, Belocian; Wirtz, Terrier; Boniface

The Gunners and Leverkusen have only met twice in competitive matches, both in the 2001-02 Champions League second group stage. The encounters resulted in a 1-1 draw in Germany and a 4-1 victory for Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal at Highbury. Arsenal’s attacking play against Liverpool showed promise, and now, back in front of a full Emirates crowd, they are likely to find the back of the net a couple of times.

However, Alonso’s Leverkusen will also pose a significant threat in the final third, potentially leading to an exciting, high-scoring draw for the North London fans.