Arsenal Face Tough Route to Champions League Final as Possible Opponents Revealed

Wednesday evening marked the end of the league phase of the 2025/26 Champions League, and it’s not unfair to say that all five of the Premier League’s competing sides flew the England flag high. Arsenal, in particular, impressed by flawlessly winning all eight of their matches.

Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin added gloss to the final hoorah of league fixtures with his 98th-minute goal against Real Madrid – which saw Jose Mourinho’s men handed a playoff spot via goal difference – but it was a memorable night, too, for the side in north London.

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal picked up a 3-2 home win against Kairat Almaty to conclude the league phase of Europe’s premier competition, but could they go all the way for the first time in their history?

Widely regarded as one of the biggest clubs to never win the Champions League, Arteta could write his name in the club’s history books – on 30 May 2026 at Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary – if he became the first manager in their history to get his hands on the big-eared trophy.