Arsenal latest: Kai Havertz sent transfer message as Mikel Arteta discusses Max Dowman plan

• Arsenal
• Arsenal News
• Arsenal

Arsenal are set to host Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League round of 16 on Tuesday

Arsenal are gearing up for their crucial Champions League encounter with Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday evening. The Gunners have swiftly refocused on European competition after increasing their lead at the top of the Premier League.

Mikel Arteta's team are poised to welcome Leverkusen for the second leg of their round of 16 clash. Kai Havertz will be battling to keep his starting spot against his boyhood club, having scored Arsenal's late leveller from the spot in the opening leg.

The Germany international has delivered impressive performances for the Gunners when fit this season and he remains admired by Leverkusen, who sold him to Chelsea in 2020. Havertz was unable to find the net against Everton at the weekend, though teenage sensation Max Dowman rose to the occasion to secure Arsenal a vital three points.

The 16-year-old became the Premier League's youngest-ever scorer at the weekend and boss Arteta has faced questions about his plans for the young midfielder. Here, football.london looks at some of the headlines surrounding the Gunners.

FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

Kai Havertz gets transfer message

Bayer Leverkusen managing director Simon Rolfes has indicated that the club would be willing to consider a move for Havertz to return in the future. The attacker made his mark as a teenager at Leverkusen, featuring 150 times before leaving for around £72million.

"I'm generally sceptical about bringing former players back. But with Kai [Havertz] and Florian Wirtz, I would make an exception," Rolfes told Sport1 programme Doppelpass.

Discussing Havertz, Rolfes added: "He spent ten years in our youth system. We maintain close contact with Kai and if the situation arises, we would need to have a conversation.

"At the moment, however, he is in a different phase of his career and feels very comfortable at Arsenal. He left the club to reach the top of world football."

Mikel Arteta shares Max Dowman plan

Dowman etched his name into the record books with his strike against Everton. The Arsenal youngster's display attracted considerable attention and he may feature more regularly as the Gunners challenge across four competitions.

The 16-year-old earned his Champions League bow as a substitute against Slavia Prague in November. However, Arteta urged patience after his latest impressive showing.

When asked whether Dowman might start Arsenal's next Premier League match, the Arsenal manager replied: "Let's come down to earth today and enjoy the moment, because it was intense and it was worth it and we will see tomorrow."