Arsenal have found out their opponents for the round of 16 stage of the Champions League.
The Gunners had a brilliant league phase in the European competition, finishing first with a perfect tally of 24 points from eight matches.
The club have now been drawn against Bundesliga giants Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16 and will play the first leg at the BayArena next month.
The Gunners will travel to Germany to face Leverkusen on either March 10 or 11, with the return leg at home on March 17 or 18.
Arsenal have played Leverkusen twice in their long history. Their last meeting was in 2002, when they won 4-1 at the Highbury Stadium.
If Mikel Arteta’s side were to progress, they would take on either Bodo/Glimt or Sporting CP in the last eight of the elite competition.
Arsenal have been handed an easier draw in the Blue Path.
If the club were to reach the semi-final for the second-straight season, they could face one of Newcastle United, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid or Tottenham Hotspur.
Here is the Blue Path (via UEFA.com)
The Gunners have therefore avoided the prospect of facing Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool, Manchester City, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich until the Champions League final in Hungary.
There is no denying that Arsenal have had a very favourable draw, and it is up to them to turn up. They have a genuine chance to reach the final for the first time since 2006 (in Paris).
Arsenal’s immediate focus will turn to Sunday’s Premier League derby against Chelsea at home.
It is another must-win encounter for the Gunners as they look to preserve their slender five-point advantage over second-placed Manchester City for another gameweek at least.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
