After a frantic night on which all 36 Champions League teams played at the same time, Arsenal and Liverpool now have a much clearer picture of which team they will face in the last 16.
Both teams were assured of their places in the knockout stage even before a ball was kicked on Wednesday night. Arsenal made a host of changes but still beat Girona 2-1 in Spain, while Liverpool’s youngsters lost 3-2 at PSV Eindhoven.
Barcelona’s draw with Atalanta means that Liverpool top the table with seven wins and a defeat. Bypassing the need for a play-off, they will face either the 15th, 16th, 17th or 18th-place team, depending on how the play-offs unfold.
Arne Slot’s side are therefore in line to play either Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica, AS Monaco or Brest.
Arsenal finished third in the standings with a six wins, a draw and a defeat. Like Liverpool, the strong finish has boosted their chances of earning a favourable last-16 draw.
Mikel Arteta’s players will face either the 13th, 14th, 19th or 20th-place team. The Gunners are therefore on course to face AC Milan, PSV, Feyenoord or Juventus.
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