Champions League Draw: Who Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Will Face in the Round of 16
By Toby Bryant
Senior Sports Journalist
Published 27th Feb 2026, 11:36 GMT
Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur have discovered their opponents for the Champions League Round of 16, with the draw confirmed on Friday morning. The three London clubs, alongside Premier League rivals Liverpool, Manchester City, and Newcastle United, are set for the knockout stages, leading to the final in Budapest on May 30.
Arsenal's Path to Glory
Arsenal will take on Bayer Leverkusen in the Round of 16. Kasper Hjulmand's side secured their spot by defeating Olympiacos in the play-off round, with a 2-0 away win followed by a 0-0 draw this week. The two teams last met in a pre-season friendly in 2024, which Arsenal won 4-1. Should the Gunners advance, they will face either Bodo/Glimt or Sporting Lisbon in the quarter-final, with potential semi-final opponents including Newcastle United, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, or Tottenham.
Former Premier League striker Charlie Austin commented on Sky Sports, stating, "On paper, Arsenal has the best side of the draw. This builds more pressure and expectation. For me, winning the Premier League is the ultimate goal, but this adds spice as expectations rise for Arsenal to reach the Champions League final."
Tottenham Hotspur's Challenge
Tottenham Hotspur will face Atletico Madrid in the Round of 16, despite recent business dealings that saw Conor Gallagher join Spurs for £34 million in January. Diego Simeone's team advanced by beating Club Brugge in the play-offs. This marks their first encounter since the 1963 Cup Winners' Cup Final, which Tottenham won 5-1. If Igor Tudor's side progresses, they could meet Newcastle United or Barcelona in the quarter-final, with Bodo/Glimt, Sporting Lisbon, Bayer Leverkusen, and Arsenal awaiting in a potential semi-final.
Chelsea's Tough Draw
Chelsea has been handed a challenging draw against Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain. PSG dominated last season's final with a 6-0 win over Inter Milan. However, Chelsea recently tasted success against the French outfit, winning the Club World Cup final 3-0 in July. Should the Blues advance, they will meet Galatasaray or Liverpool in the quarter-final, with Real Madrid, Manchester City, Atalanta, and Bayern Munich as possible semi-final opponents in what is considered the tougher half of the draw.
In other news, Paul Merson and Chris Sutton have made predictions for the Arsenal vs Chelsea match, with claims of a 'free hit' scenario adding to the intrigue.
