News about Arsenal as the Gunners advance to the round of sixteen after topping their group with a convincing victory over RC Lens

Arsenal are through the last-16 of the Champions League (Image: OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images

Arsenal had already advanced to the Champions League knockout round when they defeated RC Lens, and they did so with two games remaining. Before a ball was kicked on matchday five of the groups, Mikel Arteta’s team’s spot in the round of 16 was assured following PSV Eindhoven’s incredible comeback against Sevilla in the group’s early kickoff.

The Gunners only needed a point against RC Lens at home to qualify, but they were given a helping hand that appeared to free them up as they easily defeated them 6-0. PSV’s victory meant that Arsenal only needed to secure first place, which was already a formality.

While Lens shocked Arsenal with a 2-1 victory in the rematch, they were fighting to stay in the competition and needed to at least draw in north London to maintain their hopes. It’s a tremendous accomplishment for Arsenal to be back in the competition for the first time in six years, especially considering that the majority of their young team is playing in the Champions League for the first time.

They are now leading the Premier League as well as going into the tournament’s competitive phase. They remain an underdog in the race for greater fame compared to more well-known and powerful names, but they exude style.

While it is true that none of the top teams will want to play Arsenal, the other teams are still formidable opponents. Ten teams had already been declared through before the game even started, and that number continued to grow.

Table-toppers Bayern Munich were confirmed, and many people who will remember the previous set of results when they faced the German giants will be happy that a draw has now been avoided. Manchester City has also done this, but they are ineligible to play because national teams aren’t allowed to play until the quarterfinals.

See also: Live updates on Arsenal’s transfers and news: major injury update, Lens match, Victor Osimhen deal, Ramsdale departure

READ MORE: Leandro Trossard reveals the secret weapon that gives Arsenal a victory over Manchester City in the Premier League.

Repeat winners Along with Barcelona and Real Sociedad, Real Madrid is also eliminated. In Spain, Atletico Madrid completes a perfect four out of four. With a 4-2 victory over Napoli, Carlo Ancelotti’s team solidified their position as group winners. The outcome left last year’s performers in second place, needing only one more point to secure their spot.

After Inter played a thrilling 3-3 draw with Benfica but lost to RB Salzburg, Sociedad had a good chance of taking first place in that group, as the top two positions were already determined.

With so much on the line, AC Milan will have to wait until the final round of games to advance, while Lazio also earned their spot in the last-16 thanks to Italy. Borussia Dortmund has already advanced past the group of death, where Milan is being contested by Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle.

RB Leipzig, who finished second in group G behind City, will also play with Dortmund in the next round. A player from Lens, PSV, Galatasaray, Manchester United, and Copenhagen will also be able to advance. Additionally, Braga, Porto, and Shakhtar Donetsk have a chance.

Teams Arsenal may play in the upcoming round
The entire list of teams Arsenal has the potential to play, with a few top teams still up for grabs, is as follows: Real Sociedad/Inter, Borussia Dortmund/PSG/Milan, RB Leipzig, Barcelona/Porto/Shakhtar Donetsk, Atletico Madrid/Lazio, Napoli/Braga, and Galatasaray/Copenhagen

Arsenal cannot play Bayern Munich, Manchester, or Real Madrid because they are all confirmed as the top three seeds in the table. Given that they are from the same country, City would not be allowed to play the Gunners. Both Barcelona and Dortmund would automatically be eliminated from the running to face Arsenal after winning their respective groups with just one point each.

*While they can still advance, Lens, PSV, Manchester United, and Newcastle will not be able to play Arsenal in the following round.