The Champions League round of 16 draw has been made, and ‘Arsenal have discovered their potential path to the final.
The Gunners knew they could only have been drawn against one of two teams – Atalanta or Bayer Leverkusen. It is now official that Mikel Arteta’s side will face the German side.
On Thursday, Arsenal Insider explained Arsenal’s best-case scenario in the draw all the way up to the final, and that scenario has come true.
The North Londoners have the easiest-possible path to winning the Champions League, and Jamie O’Hara believes his worst fear will come true.
Fill in the blank: Arsenal’s best player in the league phase of the Champions League was ____________
Jamie O’Hara says Arsenal are going to win the Champions League after seeing the draw
Arsenal can consider themselves really lucky after seeing how the Champions League draw has played out.
The Gunners could’ve been put in a scenario where they had to face Atalanta in the round of 16, Manchester City or Real Madrid in the quarter-finals, Liverpool, Galatasaray, Chelsea or PSG in the semis and then Bayern Munich in the final.
Instead, the Premier League leaders have it considerably easier.
According to the draw, if Arsenal get past Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16, they will face one of Sporting CP or Bodo/Glimt in the following round.
If they get through that round too, their semi-final will be against one of Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Newcastle United or Tottenham Hotspur.
That gives Arsenal a good chance of reaching the final, and O’Hara thinks the Gunners will win it.
He tweeted right after the draw was announced: “Just seen the Champions League draw. Arsenal are going to win it. I’m moving abroad.”
🔮 Which stage of the Champions League will Arsenal reach?
Arsenal’s home advantage could make the difference
Arsenal’s draw is definitely easier compared to those on the other side of the bracket, but they will still need to be at their best to win the Champions League.
Luckily for them, they have a huge advantage.
In the round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals, Arsenal are guaranteed to play the second leg at home because they finished on top of the league phase.
That is a major advantage as having a return leg in front of the home fans could give the Gunners the boost they need – irrespective of the result in the first leg.
It remains to be seen if Arsenal will use this advantage to go all the way in the Champions League this season.
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