Who Arsenal Could Face in the 2025–26 Champions League Round of 16

The Gunners are poised for another deep Champions League run this season.

Arsenal have landed top spot in the league phase table | Tommaso Fimiano/SOPA Images/LightRocker/Getty Images

Arsenal have guaranteed their spot in the Champions League round of 16 with a perfect record, and are well-placed for another deep run in the competition, having secured first place in the final league phase standings.

They’ll now benefit from taking on a supposedly middling opponent in the last 16, and will play the second legs of all knockout ties on home soil—a perk the Gunners didn’t earn last season, despite finishing as high as third in the opening phase of the competition then.

While discourse surrounding the New England Patriots’ “cupcake” schedule amid their unlikely journey to Super Bowl LX has been rife, Arsenal cannot be accused of treading an easy path on their way to Champions League perfection. Mikel Arteta’s side have so far beaten Atlético Madrid, second-place Bayern Munich and Inter.

Supporters can thus have their feet up for a few weeks until the round of 16 gets underway, with Wednesday’s games confirming Arsenal’s next step on their route to the final.

Here are Arsenal’s potential round of 16 opponents.

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Arsenal’s Potential Champions League Round of 16 Opponents

Borussia Dortmund could be waiting. | Jürgen Fromme/firo sportphoto/Getty Images

As Arsenal have finished first, they’ll eventually face in the round of 16 one of the teams that finished 15th, 16th, 17th or 18th in the league phase table.

Atalanta began the final league phase matchday day higher up but sank into Arsenal’s range due to a defeat tanking their chance of a top-eight finish. The side which finished 15th have been paired with 17th-placed Borussia Dortmund.

Bayer Leverkusen (16th) were spared an all-Bundesliga clash against Dortmund and instead face Greek giants Olympiacos (18th).

• Winner of Atalanta (15th) vs. Borussia Dortmund (17th)
• Winner of Bayer Leverkusen (16th) vs. Olympiacos (18th)

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When Is the Champions League Round of 16?

There will be no Champions League football for Arteta’s Arsenal in February, allowing the Spaniard to focus all his energy on domestic matters during that time.

The first legs of the round of 16 have been scheduled for March 10/11, while the second legs will be played the following week, on March 17/18.

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