Arsenal have been handed a favourable path in the Champions League knockout phase after finishing top of the league phase. Mikel Arteta's side will face Bayer Leverkusen in the last-16, with the second leg at the Emirates Stadium due to a new UEFA rule granting home advantage throughout the knockout stage to the top-ranked team.
Should Arsenal overcome Leverkusen, they will meet either Bodo/Glimt or Sporting CP in the quarter-finals. A potential semi-final could pit them against Barcelona or Atletico Madrid, while the other side of the draw features heavyweights such as Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea.
Bookmakers have installed Arsenal as clear favourites for the competition, citing their advantageous draw. The dream scenario would see Arsenal face Tottenham in a north London derby semi-final, having beaten their rivals twice this season, and then a final against Atalanta or Galatasaray.
