Arsenal, Liverpool and Other English Clubs’ Possible CL Last 16 Opponents

The League Phase of the 2025-26 Champions League has come to an end, with all six English Premier League clubs securing their way into the next round, at least.

Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City, Tottenham and Chelsea have all reached the Round of 16, as the British clubs have dominated in Europe this term. Meanwhile, Newcastle United have one more tie to navigate if they want to get to the same round.

While there are still play-off fixtures to play before five of the English clubs are in action again, it has become clearer who they could each face. There are some potential nightmare draws waiting for them.

Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City, Chelsea and Tottenham’s Possible Opponents

The five English sides to reach the last 16 of Europe’s elite competition now have a better idea of who they will face next. Liverpool and Tottenham secured their progression on matchday eight, and they have the same set of possible opponents.

Arne Slot and Thomas Frank are both under serious pressure due to their Premier League struggles. However, they will fancy their chances against either Atletico Madrid, Juventus, Club Brugge or Galatasaray.

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, meanwhile, cruised through as League Phase winners. Two Bundesliga giants are among the pack of teams the north Londoners could face. Borussia Dortmund, Olympiacos, Atalanta or Bayer Leverkusen will take on the Premier League side.

There are four potential match-ups for Man City, who narrowly avoided the play-off places with a win in their final game. Real Madrid and Inter Milan are the toughest opponents Pep Guardiola could meet in the next round. Bodo/Glimt and Benfica are the others.

Newcastle, Monaco, Qarabag or reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain are the teams Chelsea could face depending on the outcome of the play-off round.

Newcastle Face Play-Off Tie Before Last 16

Eddie Howe’s Newcastle are the only English club to miss out on the top eight, meaning they will need to qualify for the Round of 16 through a play-off fixture. The Magpies finished 12th in the League Phase, despite some impressive results.

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As the play-off round is seeded, the Toon will now take on either AS Monaco or Qarabag in a two-legged encounter. Howe’s men will learnt heir fate at the draw on Friday, January 30 at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.