Friday's Champions League draw could result in Arsenal and Manchester City playing each other FOUR times in the space of 28 days, as the season reaches its climax both at home and in Europe
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 02: Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, embraces Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, prior to the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester City FC at Emirates Stadium on February 02, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta's sides both hunting for four trophies(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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They are the 28 days which could decide the whole season. Arsenal and Manchester City are on course to face each other FOUR times in less than a month across March and April.
They will discover on Friday in the Champions League draw at 11am whether they will be paired for a potential quarter-final showdown on Europe’s top stage. The dates for the quarter-final are April 7/8 with the return leg the following week, with Arsenal knowing they are guaranteed the second leg at home as a reward for finishing top in the Champions League league phase.
They are in the same half of the draw and if they both go through the last 16 stage then they could meet in the quarters. Arsenal’s toughest path to Champions League glory could be Borussia Dortmund/Atalanta, City and Liverpool while a friendlier route would be Bayer Leverkusen, Sporting Lisbon and Barcelona.
Arsenal and City begin their epic battle by going head-to-head in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday, March 22, which begins the battle between Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola. That could set the tone for the whole season because surely whoever wins the first trophy of the season will take huge confidence for the run-in.
The potential European showdowns could come in between before a final meeting of the two rivals - unless they get drawn together in the FA Cup later on - will be cast as a title decider.
The Premier League showdown is at the Etihad which is currently set for Saturday, April 18, but will surely be moved back 24 hours to be shown live on TV which completes the compelling 28 days.
Eberechi Eze of Arsenal
Arsenal and Manchester City will face-off at least twice before the end of this season(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Meanwhile, Arsenal's schedule could also change because the Premier League may be forced to reschedule the home game with Everton which is currently due to be played on Sunday, March 15 for TV.
That may well have to be switched and brought forward 24 hours depending on the Champions League draw on Friday. And that will infuriate fans because it will be done at such short notice.