Arsenal and Manchester City have both now learned their Champions League fate following Friday's draw in Nyom, Switzerland and their European exploits could also yet impact their domestic fortunes
12:32, 27 Feb 2026
Arsenal and Man City
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Arsenal and Man City can't meet each other in the Champions League until the final in Budapest
Arsenal have not only landed a favourable Champions League draw but they are also set to receive a key boost ahead of their Carabao Cup final and Premier League meetings against rivals Manchester City.
The Gunners have been drawn against Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16 and providing they are able to see off the Bundesliga outfit, they will face Norwegian underdogs Bodo/Glimt of Sporting CP in the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, Manchester City have been paired with Real Madrid, who they have already faced in the league phase back in December when they ran out 2-1 winners.
If they are to edge past Los Blancos, they'll meet Bayern Munich or Atalanta in the last-eight for a place in the semi-finals.
While final schedule details are still to be confirmed, City are set to host Real Madrid in the second leg (March 17 or 18) just days before they meet Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final.
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As City narrowly finished in the top-eight, they are set to play Real at home in the second-leg of their mouthwatering last 16 match-up. Meanwhile, group-phase table-toppers Arsenal will host Leverkusen before making the small trip across the capital to Wembley Stadium that Sunday.
Given the magnitude of City's heavyweight clash against Real, Arsenal will hope it could have some physical and mental bearing on Pep Guardiola's side when they go head-to-head for the first domestic prize of the season.
Further down the line prior to City and Arsenal's crunch title meeting at the Etihad Stadium in April, Guardiola's men are also facing a potentially gruelling set of fixtures.
First they'll travel to Chelsea on April 11/12 before potentially playing a Champions League quarter-final second leg (versus Bayern or Atalanta) on April 14 or 15.
Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta
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Arsenal and Man City will meet in both the Carabao Cup final and the Premier League over the course of the next two months(Image: 2025 The Arsenal Football Club Plc)
Then just a matter of days later, they'll host Arsenal in a Premier League showdown that neither club can afford to lose.
Because Arsenal finished first in the group phase standings, they will play either Bodo/Glimt or Sporting CP at home in the second leg of the quarter-finals, provided they successfully defeat Leverkusen.
As City finished eighth, there is a chance the second-leg of their Champions League quarter-final (if they beat Real Madrid) could take place away from home in Munich or Bergamo.
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