Arsenal’s Champions League Dream: The Road to Munich

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal are getting ready to find out who they'll face in the Champions League round of 16, and Gunners fans have a good idea of who they want to steer clear of.

February 20, 2025
6:54 pm

Arsenal cruised through the league phase of the Champions League, but now the real fun begins!

Mikel Arteta’s squad snagged a spot in the last 16 with a solid 19 points out of 24, finishing third in the 36-team standings and only letting in three goals. That strong performance helped them skip the scary play-off round, which tripped up last year’s champs, Manchester City.

But from here on out, every step toward European glory is going to be tricky. If Arsenal wants to lift the trophy in Munich on May 31, they’ll have to tackle three tough two-legged matches before even thinking about the final.

There are no easy paths to Champions League success, but some are definitely bumpier than others. Here’s how Arsenal’s journey might play out—both the best and worst-case scenarios.

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Feyenoord or PSV: A Crucial First Step

Arsenal will take on either PSV Eindhoven or Feyenoord in the round of 16. On paper, PSV looks like a tougher challenge, sitting 12 points ahead of their rivals at the top of the Eredivisie. Plus, they’re the only team to have beaten Liverpool in Europe this season.

A match against Feyenoord would be a better draw for Arteta’s crew—not just because they’re a bit weaker, but it could also land Arsenal in a less brutal half of the draw.

Quarter-Final Minefield: Bayern, Leverkusen, or Atletico

If the Gunners move on, they’ll face one of Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen, or Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals. Each team brings its own challenges.

Bayern, who knocked Arsenal out last season, just squeaked past Celtic in the play-off but are still a tough European opponent. Leverkusen, while nine points behind in the Bundesliga, might actually offer the easiest route. Meanwhile, Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid is always a wild card.

The Semi-Final Gauntlet: Liverpool or Barcelona Looming

If Arsenal makes it to the semi-finals, things won’t get any easier. Liverpool and Barcelona—two teams with serious European history—could be waiting.

But if one of those giants stumbles early, teams like Benfica, Borussia Dortmund, or Lille could provide a slightly less scary path to Munich. Of those, Lille, ranked lowest by UEFA, would be the most welcome sight.

The Nightmare Route: Real Madrid and Anfield Agony

Here’s where the Feyenoord vs. PSV choice really counts. If Arsenal faces PSV and fights their way through, they could end up against Real Madrid in the quarter-finals. If they survive that, a semi-final against either Liverpool or Barcelona becomes more likely.

Between PSG, Liverpool, and Barcelona, it’s hard to pick a favorite, but a two-legged battle with Liverpool—possibly followed by a crucial Premier League match at Anfield—could be a real test for even the toughest teams.

Arsenal’s road to Munich is full of challenges, but at this point, there’s no dodging Europe’s best. If Arteta’s squad wants to end their Champions League drought, they’ll need to show they belong among the continent’s elite.