ARSENAL could face a nightmare path to the Champions League final after Real Madrid beat Manchester City. Mikel Arteta's side were one of eight teams to automatically qualify for the Round of 16. That means they did not have to take part in the play-off stage over the last two weeks which saw City dumped out by Real Madrid.
![[Mikel Arteta, Arsenal manager, at a Premier League match.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/arsenal-manager-mikel-arteta-premier-966629578.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Both those sides were picked out of the hat on the same side of the draw as Arsenal, so the Gunners could meet Real in the quarter-final. First they will have to get past PSV Eindhoven or Feyenoord, who won their respective play-off clashes against Juventus and AC Milan.
![[Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham celebrating a goal for Real Madrid.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/kylian-mbappe-player-real-madrid-973404099.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Real Madrid are the toughest team Arsenal could face in the quarter-final, with Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen other potential opponents at that stage. If Arsenal progress past one of those teams they could come up against Premier League title rivals Liverpool.
![[Mohamed Salah celebrating after scoring a goal.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/11-mohamed-salah-celebrates-scoring-973372042.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
The Gunners may hope the Reds lose along the way, although Barcelona or Paris Saint-Germain could await if Arne Slot's side are knocked out. Alternatively, there is a chance Arsenal could face Lille in the semis - that would be their easiest opponent on paper at least.
![[Illustration of Arsenal's potential Champions League paths, showing nightmare and dream scenarios with team logos.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/ac-20_02-arsenal-path-graphic-1.jpg?strip=all&w=707)
By contrast Liverpool have an easier set of fixtures up until the semi-final, with PSG and Borussia Dortmund arguably the most difficult teams they could potentially face. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS. Liverpool could face PSG in the next round after they beat Brest, or Benfica following their narrow victory over Monaco.
![[Illustration of the 2025 Champions League draw bracket.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/JB_31_01_CHAMPIONS-LEAGUE-DRAW-v2.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
