Arsenal set to receive unique Premier League title advantage during Champions League draw

Arsenal and Manchester City will both discover their potential pathways to the Champions League final in Budapest when the draw is made in Switzerland on Friday

Arsenal could be handed an important boost ahead of April's crunch Premier League title showdown against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

When the Champions League draw is made tomorrow in Nyon, Switzerland - both sides will learn their potential pathways right the way through to the final in Budapest in late May.

The dates for each leg of the last 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals are already locked into the diary, and it makes for very interesting reading; particularly when you consider how the schedule could also impact the Premier League title race.

Providing Arsenal and City both reach the quarter-finals, which is by no means a given, City are facing a tough seven-day stretch in the run up to the heavyweight collision versus Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium.

They travel to Chelsea on the weekend of April 11 (though the final date and kick-off time is still TBC) before potentially playing a Champions League quarter-final second leg away from home.

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Then, just a matter of days later, the Gunners are in town for the unmissable clash that could yet define the final standings.

Meanwhile, Arsenal host Bournemouth when City travel to Chelsea which is the easier fixture on paper and does not require any excess travel.

Of course, the Cherries are not to be underestimated as they actually came from behind to beat the Gunners 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium last May.

Additionally, Arsenal's last-eight Champions League second-leg will take place at the Emirates because they topped the group phase standings.

Optically, the prospect of facing Chelsea (A), a UCL quarter-final second leg and Arsenal within the space of a week does look really difficult for City.

Again, that's not to say both City and Arsenal will definitely reach the quarter-finals, particularly given Pep Guardiola's men could yet square off against Real Madrid in the last 16.

However, there is no doubt the European schedule could have a big say on what happens in the league between now and the end of the season.

Providing they continue to win in the Champions League, Arsenal's schedule looks rather favourable. The last 16 matches will take place between the FA Cup trip to Mansfield and home fixture against Everton.

The return leg will then take place at the Emirates either side of Everton at home and the Carabao Cup final.

City's last 16 matches will take place after the FA Cup trip to Newcastle and before the Premier League visit to West Ham. The second leg will then be scheduled between West Ham away and the EFL Cup final at Wembley.

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