Arsenal dream route to Champions League final after favourable draw | OneFootball

Gunners are in the blue path following the Champions League draw

Arsenal have been drawn into the more favourable half of the Champions League knockout phase bracket.

Mikel Arteta’s side finished top of the league phase of the competition to book their place straight through to the last-16 and their route to the final has been mapped out after the Champions League draw on Friday.

Atalanta were one of Arsenal’s potential opponents, but it will instead be the Bundesliga side for the Gunners.

In fact, the Gunners will have home advantage throughout the knockout phase thanks to a new rule implemented by UEFA at the start of the campaign.

Should Arsenal beat Leverkusen then Arteta’s side will take on either Bodo/Glimt or Sporting CP in the quarter-finals, setting up the possibility of Viktor Gyokeres facing his former club if the latter progress in the last-16.

Things then become very tricky in a potential semi-final as the Gunners could come up against Barcelona or Atletico Madrid in what would be a major test of their European credentials.

Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea are among those on the other side of the draw, with PSG arguably currently the strongest of those sides.

That could leave Arsenal taking on the holders in the 2026 Champions League final.

Arsenal’s potential path to Champions League final:

Last 16: Bayer Leverkusen

Quarter-finals: Sporting CP

Semi-finals: Barcelona

Final: PSG

Arsenal’s dream path to Champions League final

Last 16: Bayer Leverkusen

Quarter-finals: Bodo/Glimt

Semi-finals: Tottenham

Final: Atalanta

Having avoided many fellow European heavyweights in knockout bracket, Arsenal have been installed as “clear favourites” for the Champions League.

Being on the perceived “easier” side of the draw has only strengthened the resolve among bookmakers that Arsenal appear on course to claim a first-ever Champions League title.

With that said, the dream scenario for Arsenal to reach the final would likely be a north London derby semi-final showdown against Tottenham after beating their rivals twice already this season.

Then a final against Atalanta or Galatasaray would represent the best-case scenario, though it would be a surprise if either of those two clubs manage to overcome PSG, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Manchester City on the silver path.