Arsenal have qualified for the quarter-finals of the Champions League courtesy of a 3-1 aggregate win over Bayer Leverkusen over two legs, but are in for a hectic period of play as a result
Arsenal face a relentless schedule in April as they juggle domestic competitions with Europe(Image: UEFA via Getty Images)
Arsenal will be forced to play five games in 15 days in April, as the true cost of success domestically and in Europe is unveiled.
The Gunners are through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League thanks to a 3-1 aggregate win over Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16, as Mikel Arteta looks to pick up numerous pieces of silverware in 2025/26. Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw at the BayArena a week ago, with Robert Andrich’s second-half strike cancelled out by Kai Havertz’s late penalty.
On Tuesday evening at the Emirates Stadium, however, the north London outfit proved far more dominant, Eberechi Eze and Declan Rice scoring either side of half-time to secure a convincing 2-0 win. As a result, Arsenal will now face Sporting CP in the quarter-finals of Europe’s premiere football competition come April.
However, as a result of remaining in the FA Cup, as well as Premier League commitments, the start of next month will prove incredibly challenging in terms of physical endurance and resilience due to a jam-packed schedule.
While Arsenal will have a week-long break through the March international break after their Carabao Cup final clash with Manchester City come Sunday, March 22, awaiting them on the other side is a staggering five matches over the space of 15 days with little respite.
The Gunners take on Southampton in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup come Saturday, April 4 at St Mary’s, before they return to Champions League action against Sporting CP in Lisbon three days later.
A Premier League fixture with Bournemouth at home follows on Saturday, April 11, before their Champions League reverse at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, April 15.
FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page
Arsenal’s challenging period of play then comes to a close on Saturday, April 19 with an all-important title race decider against Manchester City at the Etihad.
Arteta and his squad will then be able to breathe a breath of fresh air with a six-day break before they take on Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday, April 25 in north London.
Arsenal’s April run of fixtures
- Southampton vs Arsenal – FA Cup (A) – Saturday, April 4
- Sporting CP vs Arsenal – Champions League quarter-finals first leg (A) – Tuesday, April 7
- Arsenal vs Bournemouth – Premier League (H) – Saturday, April 11
- Arsenal vs Sporting CP – Champions League quarter-finals second leg (H) – Wednesday, April 15
- Manchester City vs Arsenal – Premier League (A) – Saturday, April 19
- Arsenal vs Newcastle United – Premier League (H) – Saturday, April 25
It comes as Arsenal could potentially scoop an unprecedented quadruple should Arteta’s first-team remain perfect from now until season’s end, with the Premier League, Carabao Cup, FA Cup and Champions League all still to play for.
The Gunners sit atop the Premier League standings at present, nine points clear of Manchester City with seven games left to play. While City have a game in hand over the Emirates elite, as well as an all-important clash at the Etihad later next month, the title is still very much in Arsenal’s hands.
If successful, it would mark the first league title that Arsenal have secured since Arsene Wenger’s incredible ‘Invincibles’ season of 2003/04. Outside the aforementioned matches, the league leaders will take on Fulham, West Ham and Burnley before May’s league finale with Crystal Palace.
Watch Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen on TNT Sports
£30.99
TNT Sports
Get TNT Sports here
Arsenal have reached the UEFA Champions League round of 16 where they face Bayer Leverkusen on March 17. Fans can watch the game on Prime Video’s TNT Sports channel.
