Arsenal’s Path to Champions League Final: Gunners Face Tough European Giants After Challenging Draw
Arsenal could potentially face liverpool in the semi-finals;
Arsenal have found themselves in the tougher half of the Champions League bracket, setting up a challenging path to the final.
Following Friday’s last-16 draw, Mikel Arteta’s side now have a clearer picture of their route to Munich in May—a journey that will almost certainly require them to overcome multiple European powerhouses.
The Gunners will face PSV in the Round of 16, ruling out a potential reunion with Robin van Persie. The former Arsenal striker is close to taking charge at Feyenoord, who were among Arsenal’s possible opponents, but instead, it will be another Dutch club standing in their way.
By finishing in the top eight of the league phase, Arsenal have the advantage of playing the second leg of the tie at home.
If they progress, the challenge intensifies. Arteta’s men would face either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals—an immediate test of their European credentials.
While Real Madrid have had an inconsistent season, they still managed to eliminate Manchester City with a commanding 6-3 aggregate victory. Meanwhile, Atletico are in strong form, both domestically and in Europe.
Should Arsenal get past one of the Madrid giants, their semi-final opponent would likely be PSG, Liverpool, Club Brugge, or Aston Villa. With PSG and Liverpool facing off in the last 16, the winner of that clash would be heavily favored to reach the last four and potentially meet the Gunners.
Adding to the intensity, a possible semi-final second leg against Liverpool would take place just days before a crucial Premier League showdown between the two sides at Anfield.
On the other side of the draw, Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen, and Barcelona await, with Barça currently looking like the strongest contender.
This sets up the possibility of Arsenal facing Barcelona in a rematch of the 2006 Champions League final—a shot at redemption nearly two decades later.
Arsenal’s possible path to the Champions League final:
- Last 16: PSV
- Quarter-finals: Real Madrid
- Semi-finals: Liverpool
- Final: Barcelona
