Arsenal receives a favorable draw, a chance to make history in the Champions League

Arsenal finds itself in a favorable Champions League bracket by avoiding several giants, creating a major chance for Arteta's team to progress far and aspire to the final in Budapest.

Arsenal is seen as the biggest beneficiary after the Champions League 2025/26 knockout stage draw. Manager Mikel Arteta's side will face Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16, having won all eight matches in the league phase and convincingly secured top spot in their group.

According to the draw results in Nyon (Switzerland), Arsenal will play the away leg first in Germany before hosting the return leg at Emirates. Finishing first in the league phase grants "The Gunners" the advantage of playing the second leg at home not only in the round of 16 but also in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, providing a considerable edge in their quest for the trophy.

If they overcome Leverkusen, the Premier League representative will meet either Bodo/Glimt or Sporting CP in the quarter-finals. These are opponents rated significantly lower than other top clubs. The path to the semi-finals thus appears quite open for Arsenal, especially as they lead the Premier League and demonstrate consistent form across competitions.

In the semi-finals, the real challenge emerges when Arsenal could potentially face one of Barcelona, Newcastle, Atletico Madrid, or Tottenham. However, avoiding teams like Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, or Manchester City in this bracket makes the prospect of reaching the final in Budapest clearer than ever.

Notably, if Bayern Munich advances past Atalanta, they are likely to clash with Real Madrid or Manchester City in the quarter-finals, while PSG, Chelsea, and Liverpool are also in the opposite bracket. This further reinforces the view that Arsenal has received the "dream draw." With a balanced squad, strong form, and the advantage of home legs in return matches, Arteta's team has every right to dream of a historic Champions League campaign.