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Champions League paths to final become clearer after draw as Arsenal and Liverpool learn routes

Six Premier League sides remain in search of Champions League glory and now know who they must overcome en route to lifting the trophy in May

Ivan Rakitic picks a draw ball

The Cwampions Leagu draw is complete(Image: Harold CUNNINGHAM / AFP via Getty Images)

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The remaining Premier League teams in the Champions League now have a clearer picture of their potential path to the competition's final. Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle and Tottenham discovered their last-16 opponents on Friday and got a hint of what could come after.

Arsenal take on Bayer Leverkusen, City face Real Madrid and Galatasaray, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid await Liverpool, Newcastle and Spurs next month. But the contenders have also been drawn into a bracket.

Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, Arne Slot's Liverpool and Liam Rosenior's Chelsea lie in one half, while the Gunners, Magpies and Lilywhites are in the other. The two halves will not meet until the final.

Arsenal could face Sporting or Bodo/Glimt in the quarter‑finals if they defeat Bayer Leverkusen. Newcastle and Spurs could face each other at the same stage if they progress, and then could be tasked with Arsenal in the semis.

As a result, Mikel Arteta's final four opponents will come from Newcastle, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid or Tottenham.

In the opposite half, Chelsea's reward for beating PSG would see them paired with Liverpool or Galatasaray.

City, meanwhile, would play Bayern Munich or Atalanta if they overcame Real Madrid. Those teams would then fight it out in the semi-finals.

Manchester City's director of football, Hugo Viana, reckons his side's last 16 clash is like a final. Speaking to UEFA, he said: "It's a big game for both teams.

"We played against each other already in the group phase, so it'll be a really nice game to watch. It's like a final, we are happy to go there again.

The UEFA Champions League draw for the 2025/26 knockout rounds

The UEFA Champions League draw for the 2025/26 knockout rounds(Image: Kristian Skeie - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

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"It's too soon to speak about the final, we should think game by game. Now we have a strong opener to face."

Champions League last-16 draw in full:

PSG vs Chelsea

Bodo/Glimt vs Sporting Lisbon

Galatasaray vs Liverpool

Atletico Madrid vs Tottenham

Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal

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