Kai Havertz says sorry for Arsenal goal

Arsenal snatched a draw in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie against Bayer Leverkusen, thanks to a late penalty from Kai Havertz.

The Gunners had a perfect record in the league phase of this year’s competition, winning all eight games to finish top of the standings. They were drawn against Bayer in the first knockout round and fell behind in Germany, allowing Robert Andrich to open the scoring from a corner.

Havertz came off the bench for Arsenal and stepped up to convert a controversial 89th-minute penalty kick. The German forward is a product of the Bayer Leverkusen academy and spent five years in the first team before moving to Chelsea in 2020. Speaking after the game, Havertz apologized to his former club for the goal.

“Penalties in the last minute are not always so easy. But these are the moments I have worked for years for, to be there in such moments. That’s why I’m naturally happy. I am glad that I stepped up, glad that I scored. I am naturally sorry for the Leverkusen players. But that is football and I was happy,” Havertz said after the game.

Havertz’ late goal leaves the tie level ahead of the second leg back in North London next weekend. Arsenal will be the favorites to progress against an unfancied Bayer team, but the German side has shown that they can frustrate the Gunners.

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