Liverpool and Arsenal are joined by Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester City in the Champions League round of 16 while Newcastle face a play-off as clubs learned their potential next round opponents
Arsenal and Liverpool have discovered their potential opponents in the Champions League last 16, following a chaotic end to the league phase.
In the final matchday of the league, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham all picked up crucial wins to seal a top-eight spot and automatically advance to the round of 16. While Newcastle face the play-offs after they failed to beat PSG in Paris.
The Gunners maintained their flawless record with a smooth 3-2 victory over Kazakhstani outfit Kairat, making it eight wins from eight matches. Viktor Gyokeres wasted no time in opening the scoring, netting his 10th goal for Arsenal within two minutes. However, Kairat quickly responded by winning a penalty and converting it.
Mikel Arteta’s side soon regained the lead, with Kai Havertz switching roles from assist-maker to goal-scorer on his first start since August. Gabriel Martinelli kept up his European hot streak by bagging Arsenal’s third before half-time – his sixth of the tournament. Kairat managed to claw one back in the dying moments, but now all eyes are on the last 16 for Arteta and his squad.
Their next round’s opponents have been determined. Arsenal, along with second-placed Bayern Munich, will face either Atalanta, Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund or Olympiacos in the round of 16, who finished 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th respectively.
Which specific teams Arsenal and Bayern will face will be revealed next month following the completion of play-off matches between those four sides.
At Anfield, Liverpool ran riot to secure a third place finish in the table after demolishing Azerbajian outfit Qarabag 6-0. A double from Alexis Mac Allister and strikes from Mohamed Salah, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike and Federico Chiesa wrapped up as straightforward a night as possible.
However, the Reds face a tricky tie against either Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Club Brugge or Galatasaray.
Chelsea’s strong finish to the Champions League first stage was completed against Napoli as Liam Rosenior’s men came from behind thanks to a brace from Joao Pedro to beat the Italian champions 3-2 in Naples. The Blues sealed 6th spot and one of Monaco, Qarabag, PSG or Newcastle awaits in the round of 16.
Elsewhere, Tottenham have turned the tables on their dire league form as Thomas Frank’s side incredibly secured 4th place in the table after second-half goals from Randal Kolo Muani and Dominic Solanke beat Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany. Spurs are in the same boat as Liverpool and will now face one of Galatasaray, Club Brugge, Atletico Madrid or Juventus in their next round.
Manchester City bounced back from their nightmare defeat in the Arctic Circle to Bodo/Glimt by beating Galatasaray thanks to strikes from Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki. Their 7th place finish sets up a potential nightmare round of 16 tie against one of Bodo/Glimt, Real Madrid, Inter or Benfica.
Meanwhile, Eddie Howe’s side will play either Monaco or Qarabag in their play-off tie after the 1-1 draw at the Parc des Princes meant the Magpies finished 12th.
The opening legs of the last 16 are scheduled for Tuesday, March 10 and Wednesday, March 11, with the return fixtures set for Tuesday, March 17 and Wednesday, March 18.