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The teams Arsenal could face in the Champions League last 16

The teams Arsenal could face in the Champions League last 16


It’s like they’ve never been away.

Arsenal’s journey back into the Champions League was certainly a rollercoaster, but the efficiency at which they manoeuvred through Group B suggests they’re ready to compete with Europe’s elite once more.

Tougher tests than PSV Eindhoven, Lens and Sevilla of course await in UEFA’s premier club competition, but Mikel Arteta’s side nevertheless seem ready for a deep run.

After winning their group with a game to spare, here’s a rundown of who they could face in the round of 16.

Alexander Isak

Newcastle are in contention to finish second in Group F / Quality Sport Images/GettyImages

As one of eight group winners, Arsenal will face one of the runners-up in the round of 16.

However, the Gunners cannot be paired against a fellow Premier League club until the quarter-final stage, nor can they face a fellow Group B opponent.

While Manchester City have topped their group, Arsenal would not face either Newcastle or Manchester United were they to qualify for the last 16 as runners-up in their respective groups.

PSV need just a point against what should be a heavily rotated Arsenal side on Matchday 6 to join the Gunners in the knockout stages.

Bayern Munich and Real Madrid have each progressed as group winners.

Group A

Dries Mertens

Galatasaray fought back from 2-0 down to draw with FC Copenhagen on Matchday 1 / Ahmad Mora/GettyImages

Bayern Munich are out of the picture for Arsenal. They’d won Group A after Matchday 4.

However, second spot is still well up for grabs between the last three teams. One of those is Man Utd, whom the Gunners can’t face, while FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray are the other two.

The Danish and Turkish giants meet in Copenhagen on Matchday 6 with the winner progressing into the last 16. A draw will complicate matters and give United a route into the knockouts should they beat Bayern at Old Trafford.

Group C

Piotr Zielinski, Eljif Elmas

Napoli are likely to finish second in Group C / Octavio Passos/GettyImages

Real Madrid are safely through to the round of 16 following a perfect group stage so far and it looks as if Napoli will advance alongside the Spanish behemoths.

Napoli take on Braga at home on Matchday 6 needing just a point to qualify for the round of 16 in second. However, if Braga win in Naples by two or more goals, they will advance at the Serie A side’s expense thanks to a superior head-to-head record.

Group D

Takefusa Kubo, Denzel Dumfries

Inter need to beat Real Sociedad to top Group D / Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/GettyImages

The loser of Inter‘s clash with Real Sociedad will finish the group as runners-up.

Inter snatched a point in San Sebastian on Matchday 1, but they need more than a draw in the reverse fixture. Both sides are currently locked at the top of Group D with 11 points, but Real Sociedad’s superior goal difference means that if the two sides draw again, the Spanish side will win the group.

Arsenal would certainly prefer a knockout tie against the Champions League novices.

Group E

Felipe Anderson, Mario Hermoso

Lazio currently look likely to finish second in Group E / Ivan Romano/GettyImages

It’s a similar story in Group E as the two qualified sides meet in the Spanish capital.

Group leaders Atletico Madrid hold a one-point advantage over Lazio heading into their head-to-head duel at the Wanda, meaning the Italians must win on Matchday 6 to qualify as group victors.

As it stands, Lazio are the more likely possibility for Arsenal, but Atletico remain an option.

Group F

Paris Saint-Germain v Newcastle United FC: Group F - UEFA Champions League 2023/24

Arsenal could face PSG in the round of 16 / Christian Liewig – Corbis/GettyImages

The ‘Group of Death’ has certainly delivered and it’s still all to play for across the group as we head into the final matchday.

Arsenal cannot, of course, face Newcastle in the round of 16, but there are still avenues for the Gunners to face Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain or Milan in the first knockout round.

Victory for PSG in Dortmund would consign the Germans to second spot, but if Milan beat Newcastle and PSG lose, the 2021/22 Serie A champions will steal runners-up status. Draws all round will see PSG remain in second.

Group G

Lois Openda, Xavi Simons

RB Leipzig have finished second in Group G / Richard Sellers/Allstar/GettyImages

This one’s pretty simple. Man City secured their place in the round of 16 as Group G winners after they came from behind to beat RB Leipzig 3-2 on Matchday 5.

Leipzig, meanwhile, will finish in second as they’re five points ahead of Young Boys in third.

Group H

Mehdi Taremi, Taras Stepanenko

A draw for Porto against Shakhtar Donetsk will be enough to see them finish second / Selim Sudheimer/GettyImages

Barcelona have all but assured themselves of topping Group H, with the showdown between Porto and Shakhtar Donetsk in Portugal deciding who joins them in the last 16.

Porto’s victory in the reverse fixture means they currently hold the cards and Shakhtar must win away from home to progress at the Portuguese side’s expense. A draw is enough for Porto.

All Arsenal’s potential opponents in the last 16

Potential opponent

Country

Atletico Madrid

Spain

Borussia Dortmund

Germany

Braga

Portugal

FC Copenhagen

Denmark

Galatasaray

Turkey

Inter

Italy

Lazio

Italy

Milan

Italy

Napoli

Italy

Porto

Portugal

PSG

France

RB Leipzig

Germany

Real Sociedad

Spain

Shakhtar Donetsk

Ukraine

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