The sides that have already secured their place in the Champions League round of 16 are edging closer to discovering their next opponents after the opening legs of the play-off stage. For Arsenal supporters, the anticipation is building, with the Gunners regarded as one of the favourites to lift the trophy this season.
A total of 16 clubs were in action across Tuesday and Wednesday as they battled for progression, including Newcastle – the only Premier League side not to qualify automatically for the knockout rounds. Eddie Howe's men look all but certain to advance, however, after delivering the most emphatic result of the round against Qarabag.
The Magpies thrashed their opponents 6-1 to take a commanding lead into next week's second leg at St James' Park. Should they finish the job, their reward is already set: a last-16 tie against either Barcelona or Chelsea.
While it is still too early to make firm predictions before the return fixtures, the picture is beginning to take shape for several clubs. Arsenal, for example, know their opponents will be one of Borussia Dortmund, Atalanta, Olympiacos or Bayer Leverkusen.
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After the first legs, Dortmund and Leverkusen are favourites to progress, having recorded 2-0 victories over Atalanta and Olympiacos respectively. Once the remaining ties are concluded and the last-16 draw is made, the route to the final will become clear.
Arsenal effectively have two possible pathways. They could be drawn against the winner of Leverkusen vs Olympiacos - a scenario that would likely set up a quarter-final clash with Manchester City. Alternatively, they may face the winner of Dortmund vs Atalanta, with a potential last-eight meeting against either City or Spanish giants Real Madrid on the cards.
Elsewhere, Liverpool and Tottenham's fates are intertwined. One will take on the winners of Galatasaray vs Juventus, while the other will meet the victor of Club Brugge against Atletico Madrid.
Galatasaray stunned Juventus with a 5-2 victory ahead of next week's decisive second leg in Turin. Meanwhile, Brugge and Atletico are finely poised after an entertaining 3-3 draw.
Arsenal and Man City players
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Arsenal could end up facing title rivals Man City in the quarters, depending the draw and subsequent results
Man City themselves could face Real Madrid - who hold a 1-0 advantage over Benfica - in the Round of 16. Alternatively, they may be paired with Bodo/Glimt, who carry a 3-1 lead over Inter Milan into their second leg.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are on course to meet either Paris Saint-Germain, who edged Monaco 3-2 in their opening encounter, or Newcastle, who remain overwhelming favourites to complete the job against Qarabag.
With all six Premier League clubs still in contention, the likelihood of all-English ties is growing. Chelsea and Newcastle could meet in the last 16, while Arsenal may face Man City in the quarter-finals.
Further down the line, Chelsea or Newcastle could even be drawn against Liverpool or Tottenham, adding another layer of intrigue to an already compelling knockout stage.
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