Arsenal have been drawn against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League round of 16, while a potential quarter-final tie against either Bodo/Glimt or Sporting awaits Mikel Arteta’s men.
The Gunners cruised to a top-of-the-table finish in the League Phase, becoming the first team in the new format’s history to win all eight of their matches. Beating the likes of Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Atletico in the process, Arsenal made a statement with their performance in this initial stage of the competition and are now deemed favourites to go all the way.
Friday’s draw has only increased the North Londoners’ chances of progressing into the latter stages. A palatable draw with Leverkusen could precede a winnable quarter-final tie, while the list of potential semi-final opponents (Newcastle United, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur) won’t scare Arteta’s team.
Arsenal fans react to Champions League round of 16 draw
Talk of the quadruple at the Emirates has been mooted in recent weeks, although many fans won’t have genuinely believed that this unprecedented achievement was possible. That was until Friday’s Champions League draw.
Arsenal now have a clear route to at least the semi-final stage, as they’ll be significant favourites against Leverkusen and against either Sporting or Bodo/Glimt. Meanwhile, the Gunners have already beaten Tottenham, Newcastle and Atletico this season, and Barcelona’s defensive problems mean they won’t strike fear into many teams in Europe.
Fans of the North London club took to social media to express their excitement at how the draw panned out. One wrote on X: “I made a 16-minute video yesterday about the PERFECT draw for Arsenal… this was literally it.”
I made a 16 minute video yesterday about the PERFECT draw for Arsenal…
— Rory Talks Football (@Rory_Talks_Ball) February 27, 2026
This was literally it pic.twitter.com/EHq1Jxgw1s
Another added: “Really good news for Arsenal. Bayer Leverkusen are very beatable, and we’re on the good side of the draw – away from some potentially horrible draws down the line. Don’t think we could’ve asked for much more.”
Really good news for Arsenal. Bayer Leverkusen are very beatable and we're on the good side of the draw – away from some potentially horrible draws down the line. Don't think we could've asked for much more.
— Phil Costa (@_PhilCosta) February 27, 2026
Meanwhile, one supporter wrote: “All we could have hoped for. Come on Arsenal!”
All we could have hoped for. Come on Arsenal! https://t.co/bbvpZugQZE
— Fred (@_freddieg_) February 27, 2026
Finally, another Arsenal fan posited, simply: “As an Arsenal fan, it’s looking good.”
As an Arsenal fan it's looking good 😌
— Mykaël Ø' Mykaël (@MichaelGbemi7) February 27, 2026
The Champions League draw will help Arsenal’s Premier League title pursuit
Being on the other side of the bracket of all of Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea certainly suggests that things might be falling for you. Arsenal will feel as though they’ve won the lottery with this draw, and so they should.
Leverkusen aren’t the team they were under Xabi Alonso, and should certainly be navigable. Meanwhile, while Bodo/Glimt have been impressive, they’re unlikely to be capable of laying a glove on the best defensive team in the world. As for Sporting, Arsenal thrashed the Portuguese giants 5-1 last season, and this time Rui Borges’ side won’t even have Viktor Gyokeres to lead their attack.
Arsenal will never have a better opportunity to reach another Champions League final.
However, away from their pursuit of the European competition, this draw should help the Gunners’ league campaign. Not only will they be involved in less intense games and potentially be able to rotate between competitions, but, crucially, Manchester City will not have this luxury.
The Citizens will host Real Madrid days before the League Cup final, while they could also face a gruelling ten-day period in April if they overcome Los Blancos. Progressing into the quarter-finals could see Pep Guardiola’s team play Bayern home and away, as well as Chelsea away, all in the week leading up to the title showdown at the Etihad on 18th April.
