Arsenal face nightmare path to Champions League final as play-off draw leaves fate in the balance
Arsenal face nightmare path to Champions League final as play-off draw leaves fate in the balance
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ARSENAL face a potential nightmare journey to the Champions League following the play-off draw. The Gunners qualified automatically from the league phase after finishing third behind Liverpool and Barcelona. But they have been dealt a tough draw with Juventus potentially up next if the Italian side beat Lille. Alternatively, Arsenal could play the winner of Feyenoord or AC Milan, depending on the draw for the Round of 16.
![[Mikel Arteta, Arsenal manager, at Emirates Stadium.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/emirates-stadium-arsenal-manager-mikel-966090301.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
If they progress an even more difficult quarter-final clash will await. That is because Arsenal have been picked out in the same side of the draw as Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich. They could face any of that trio or one of Bayer Leverkusen, Atletico Madrid or Celtic. Liverpool or Barcelona could come next in the semi-final, so the Gunners face a massive challenge to get to Munich. City have been tasked with the same nightmare run - only they face an game extra against Real Madrid in the play-off, with both juggernauts failing to finish in the top eight.
![[Illustration of Arsenal's potential Champions League journey, showing matchups against Juventus, Real Madrid, and Liverpool.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/ac-31_01-arsenal-road-to-ucl-final-graphic.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
By contrast Liverpool have an easier set of fixtures up until the semi-final, with PSG and Borussia Dortmund among the difficult teams they could potentially face. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS. Aston Villa were pulled out on the same side of the draw as Liverpool and could face Club Brugge, Atalanta, Sporting or Dortmund in the Round of 16. City's horror draw means they face Arsenal, Real Madrid and Liverpool in the space of a few weeks next month.
