Arsenal's path to Champions League final now clear despite tough challenges ahead

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Arsenal will face Sporting CP in the Champions League quarter-finals and one of Barcelona or Atletico Madrid in the following knockout round

Arsenal's route to the Champions League final has become clearer after the final set of last 16 results. After beating Bayer Leverkusen, the Gunners have joined Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Sporting CP in the next round, with the latter as their quarter-final opponents.

Mikel Arteta's side will avoid Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich as they are on the other side of the bracket.

Arsenal have thumped both Sporting and Atletico in Europe recently, with Barcelona arguably the best team they could face in the semi-finals.

Hansi Flick's side dispatched of Newcastle at the previous stage with a stunning 7-2 win in the second leg, sealing an aggregate triumph of 8-3. Atletico also put English opposition to the sword, defeating Tottenham 7-5 over two legs.

Sporting meanwhile, completed a sensational turnaround to knock out Bodo/Glimt with the Norwegian side surrendering a three-goal lead from the first leg.

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The Gunners will almost certainly be favourites to beat the Portuguese champions having left Jose Alvalade Stadium with a 5-1 win in the Champions League last season. It will also be a return to his former club for Viktor Gyokeres.

Assuming Arteta and Co. get beyond Sporting, Barcelona are likely to pose more of a threat given their scintillating attack but Diego Simeone's side may end up being their opponents, having recently beaten their Spanish rivals in the Copa del Rey.

While Arsenal attempt to navigate their own European knockout pathway over the next few months, only one of Liverpool, PSG, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich will make the final in Budapest.

Arne Slot's side are set to again face the French giants over two legs, while Los Blancos and Bayern are to do battle after comprehensive last-16 victories. The quarter-final ties are set for April, with Arsenal scheduled to play five games across three competitions in 15 days.

The final international break of the season comes before that however, and this weekend the Gunners will be able to gather some huge momentum heading into the run-in.

That is because they face title rivals Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday at Wembley Stadium. It is the first silverware up for grabs as Arsenal look to capture a sensational quadruple.

Alongside currently sitting seven points clear at the top of the Premier League, Arsenal have a great chance of reaching the Champions League final and at the very least, FA Cup semi-finals.

Championship side Southampton were drawn as their last-8 opponents with one of Man City or Liverpool set to miss out on a day at Wembley as they face off in one of the other quarter-final ties.