{"id":366,"date":"2026-03-18T08:46:20","date_gmt":"2026-03-18T08:46:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/?p=366"},"modified":"2026-03-18T08:46:20","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T08:46:20","slug":"arsenals-path-to-champions-league-final-suddenly-becomes-clearer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/?p=366","title":{"rendered":"Arsenal&#8217;s path to Champions League final suddenly becomes clearer"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_a12813\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Arsenal now know, if they progress, they will face in the last eight of the Champions League after Sporting CP conducted a memorable comeback win against Bodo\/Glimt<\/h2>\n<div class=\"Byline_byline-container__K_Owl\" data-testid=\"byline\"><span class=\"Byline_byline-content-wrapper__Imque\" data-testid=\"byline-content\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"Byline_author-badge-date-wrapper__Q7jj1\">\n<p><span class=\"\" data-testid=\"byline-publishedDate\">20:26, 17 Mar 2026<\/span><span class=\"ArticleTimestamp_updated-date__7qD4Q ArticleTimestamp_updated-date-with-published__iFKpF\" data-testid=\"byline-updatedDate\">Updated 20:27, 17 Mar 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<p><button class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36883912\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Arsenal in the Champions League draw\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36883912.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_gettyimages-2263300697-594x594.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36883912.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/0_gettyimages-2263300697-594x594.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36883912.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/0_gettyimages-2263300697-594x594.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36883912.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_gettyimages-2263300697-594x594.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"If Arsenal progress, they will face Sporting CP in the Champions League quarter-final\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">If Arsenal progress, they will face Sporting CP in the Champions League quarter-final<cite aria-label=\"Image: AFP or licensors\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: AFP or licensors)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Arsenal&#8217;s route to the Champions League final has become much clearer, with Sporting CP confirmed to be their opponents in the quarter-final if they overcome Bayer Leverkusen. The Gunners are currently level with the German side ahead of tonight&#8217;s second-leg.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Mikel Arteta&#8217;s men rescued a first leg draw last week thanks to Kai Havertz&#8217;s penalty against his former team. Robert Andrich put the Bundesliga outfit ahead just after half-time before Havertz came off the bench to leave all to play for this evening.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The draw was the first game this season that Arsenal failed to win in Europe&#8217;s prestigious competition. They topped the league phase in perfect fashion, winning all eight games, scoring 23 and conceding just four.<\/p>\n<p><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_44230e\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\">Kyle Walker explains reason Arsenal are NOT toughest Premier League team to face<\/span><\/span><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_44230e\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\">11 Arsenal stars who could be sold as Andrea Berta makes transfer priority clear<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">This year, the route to the final at the end of May has already been set. Arteta&#8217;s men sit on the different side to the bracket of Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">On their side of the bracket is Newcastle, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Sporting CP. It&#8217;s all to play for in Spain between Barcelona and Newcastle following a 1-1 draw in the first-leg, while Atletico travel to north London to take on Tottenham with a 5-2 lead.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">In the quarter-final, Arsenal will now meet Sporting after their incredible comeback in the second-leg on Tuesday night. Bodo\/Glimt took a 3-0 lead to Portugal after another emphatic home display in the Champions League, but crashed out the tournament after losing 5-0 in Portugal.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE!<\/strong> <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"\/><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><u>Latest Gunners news and more on our dedicated Facebook page<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Viktor Gyokeres&#8217; old club Sporting won after extra-time thanks to goals from Goncalo Inacio, Pote, Luis Suarez, Maxi Araujo and Rafael Nel.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Should Arsenal progress, the two-legged tie with Sporting would take place across April 7\/8 and 14\/15.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">In 2023, the Portuguese giants knocked Arsenal out of the Europa League last 16 on penalties after two draws.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-36883902\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36883902\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Sporting CP celebrate going 4-0 up against Bodo\/Glimt\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36883902.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Portugal-Champions-League-Soccer.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36883902.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_Portugal-Champions-League-Soccer.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36883902.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Portugal-Champions-League-Soccer.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36883902.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Portugal-Champions-League-Soccer.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Sporting CP celebrate going 4-0 up against Bodo\/Glimt\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Sporting CP celebrate going 4-0 up against Bodo\/Glimt<cite aria-label=\"Image: AP\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: AP)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The other quarter-final will see Athletic Madrid, barring a dramatic Spurs comeback, take on the winners of Barcelona and Newcastle. Arteta&#8217;s side will take on the winner of that tie in the semi-final before facing the winner of the other side of the bracket.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">In the final, PSG are incredibly likely to qualify to the quarter-final after scoring two quickfire goals against Chelsea to go 7-2 up on aggregate.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Real Madrid are set to join them and they will take on the winners of Bayern Munich and Atalanta, though the former are 6-1 up.<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContentsEmbed_affiliate-contents-container__oTiet\" data-testid=\"affiliate-contents-embed\">\n<div data-testid=\"affiliate-content\" class=\"AffiliateContent_affiliate-content-container__10EX_ affiliate-content\">\n<p>Watch Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen on TNT Sports<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-disclaimer__dG5ST\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-text__8nmDa\">This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM AffiliateContent_content-details__U6C2M AffiliateContent_has-content-img___LY95\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_content-image__FxPNL\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Content Image\" fetchpriority=\"auto\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36617864.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s510b\/0_TNT-Sportsjfif.jpg\"\/><\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_content-price-details__OpMC_\">\n<p>\u00a330.99<\/p>\n<p>TNT Sports<\/p>\n<p>Get TNT Sports here<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM\">\n<div id=\"product-description\" class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">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&#8217;s TNT Sports channel.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Arsenal now know, if they progress, they will face in the last eight of the<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":367,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-366","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arsenal"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/366","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=366"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/366\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/367"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=366"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=366"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=366"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}