Bayer Leverkusen Manager Discloses Touchline Exchange with Arsenal Coach After Heated Champions League Clash
Bayer Leverkusen head coach Kasper Hjulmand has publicly revealed the details of his post-match conversation with Arsenal set-piece specialist Nicolas Jover, following a fiercely contested 1-1 draw in the Champions League on Wednesday evening. The match, played in Germany, saw tensions flare both on and off the pitch, with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressing significant frustration over his team's defensive performance.
Hjulmand Questions Arsenal's Set-Piece Tactics in Candid Press Conference Remarks
In his pre-match media briefing, Hjulmand raised pointed questions regarding Arsenal's aggressive blocking strategies during set-piece situations. The former Denmark national team coach confirmed that this very topic formed the core of his brief discussion with Jover immediately after the final whistle. When probed about the interaction by CBS Sports, Hjulmand provided a straightforward account.
'No, he’s not a friend of mine,' Hjulmand stated, referencing Jover's previous tenure at Brentford. 'I’ve only met him a few times. He just said, ‘yeah, you’re doing it also’, and I replied, ‘yeah, of course’.' The Leverkusen boss emphasized that his earlier comments were not a direct accusation aimed solely at Arsenal. 'What I said in the press conference was in general – we do it, everyone does it. I’m not blaming Arsenal, but I’m questioning it. Is it within the rules to make these offensive blocks and body-check players without the ball in the area? That was my question.'
Arteta's Fury Over Defensive Lapses and Leverkusen's Routined Attack
Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta was visibly angered by his Arsenal squad's failure to execute pre-match instructions, particularly in defending against Leverkusen's well-rehearsed set-piece routines. The Gunners fell behind early in the second half when Robert Andrich capitalized on a corner in the 46th minute, after Eberechi Eze was obstructed during the play.
'We wanted to start very strong in the second half and we’ve done completely the opposite,' Arteta lamented. 'We started not paying enough attention on the kick-off, which we had discussed before the match. They had a clear header and scored. After that, the tide changed completely.'
Arteta highlighted that his team had been thoroughly briefed on Leverkusen's repetitive set-piece patterns, observed from recent Bundesliga matches. 'We knew they had certain routines because they’ve done it three times in a row recently, and we showed those images. But you have to see it and do it. We haven’t done it, and we paid the price.'
Late Penalty Salvages Draw for Arsenal in Dramatic Finish
Arsenal managed to rescue a point in the dying moments of the encounter. Substitute Noni Madueke was fouled in the box by Malik Tillman, leading to a penalty in the 89th minute. Former Leverkusen player Kai Havertz confidently converted the spot-kick against his old club, ensuring the match ended level. The result leaves both teams with work to do in their respective Champions League group campaigns, amid ongoing debates over tactical discipline and set-piece integrity in modern football.
