Everything you need to know about Bayer Leverkusen

Bayer Leverkusen are enjoying the greatest success of their 120-year history right now, and will prove to be stern opponents for us when we face off at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.

Ahead of the game, get prepared for their visit by swotting up on the German giants’ past and present, as they look towards a glittering future with Xabi Alonson at the helm:

The history

The club were founded in 1904 by employees of the pharmaceutical company Bayer which is based in the city. Over the next 30 years they gradually worked their way up from the fourth tier to the second, and in the 1950s they spent five years at the highest level. They first competed in the new national Bundesliga in 1979/80, where…