Under the new format, the Gunners’ potential route to this season’s Champions League final has already been mapped out.
This will be the first European knockout stage meeting between the two clubs since 2018 when Atletico beat the Gunners in the Europa League semi-final, thus denying Arsene Wenger a chance to end his reign as manager with a trophy.
As a result of finishing top in the league phase, Arsenal will have the advantage of playing the second leg of their semi-final tie at the Emirates Stadium.
Semi-final bound: Arsenal
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
In fact, the Gunners will have had home advantage throughout the knockout phase thanks to a new rule implemented by UEFA at the start of the campaign.
That could leave Arsenal taking on the six-time winners – with the likes of Harry Kane, Luis Diaz and Michael Olise in their ranks – in the 2026 Champions League final.
Arsenal’s potential path to Champions League final:
Semi-finals: Atletico Madrid
