Arsenal discover Champions League round of 16 opponent as draw confirmed

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Arsenal have discovered who they will face in the Champions League round of 16.

The Gunners eased to a top-eight finish in the inaugural league phase of the competition, coming behind just Liverpool and Barcelona in the 36-team table.

Statement victories over Sporting and Paris Saint-Germain stood out in what was a defensively resolute campaign for Mikel Arteta’s men.

Arsenal conceded just three goals in eight matches, and this stands them in good stead to enjoy a lengthy run.

Girona were the last side to be beaten by the North Londoners, setting Arsenal up for a tasty tie in the next round.

Arsenal to play PSV Eindhoven in round of 16 of the Champions League

24 teams progressed to the knockout stages of the Champions League, with 16 of these taking part in a play-off round in the last two weeks.

Arsenal’s third-place finish means they’ve been rewarded with a game against a side that had to take on this play-off round.

After today’s draw, it’s now been confirmed that the Gunners will play PSV Eindhoven over two legs.

The first will take place in the Netherlands on either the 4th or 5th March, while the second leg will be played at the Emirates on the 12th.

PSV are just two points behind league leaders Ajax, and have beaten both Liverpool and Juventus in the Champions League this season.

The Eindhoven side have some dangerous players in the form of Ivan Perisic and Johan Bakayoko, but Arsenal shouldn’t fear them after beating them comfortably in European competition in each of the last two seasons.

Arsenal’s record against Dutch teams isn’t impressive, and thus Arteta’s team will have to be weary of the threat PSV/Feyenoord cause.

• READ MORE: Mikel Arteta has golden opportunity to prove Pep Guardiola wrong and achieve unprecedented Arsenal feat

Arsenal have a real chance of winning the Champions League

Having established an impenetrable defence in the competition this season, Arsenal are primed to win the Champions League.

Keeping games tight in knockout football and conceding nothing regarding opposition chances is often effective, and could lead the Gunners a long way.

Only Inter Milan conceded fewer goals in the league phase, while no team matched Arsenal’s underlying data defensively.

Arteta’s outfit allowed just one open play goal – Arnaut Danjuma’s against Girona – while they conceded just 4.2 non-penalty expected goals, an average of just 0.53 per 90 minutes.

Anything can happen from the Quarter-Final onwards, and given Arsenal have a winnable last 16 tie awaiting, they should be feeling positive about their hopes.