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Arsenal find out who they will face in the next round of the Champions League this Friday morning (local time). At this stage, there are three potential opponents for Arsenal fans to be wary of: Atalanta, Bayer Leverkusen or Borussia Dortmund.
Atalanta faces Borussia Dortmund in the second leg of their playoff tie. Dortmund holds a 2-0 advantage heading into the away fixture, so they are the favourites to go through. Bayer Leverkusen have already confirmed their place in the Round of 16.
Who may Arsenal face in the Champions League Round of 16?
Bayer Leverkusen is one half of the potential opponents for Arsenal. The other half is Atalanta or Borussia Dortmund, whoever progresses in their tie. Borussia Dortmund holds a 2-0 advantage, with the second leg being played tonight (Wednesday).
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen cemented their place in the Champions League Round of 16 by beating Olympiacos 2-0 on aggregate. That 2-0 scoreline was put in place in the first leg in Greece, with the second leg being held at a 0-0 stalemate.
Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen have a great relationship. The Gunners sold Granit Xhaka to Leverkusen, and Leverkusen loaned Piero Hincapie to Arsenal.
Bayer Leverkusen is sixth in the Bundesliga, but they are no pushovers. Having won a domestic title and reached a European final more recently than Arsenal, the game would be more even than most think.
Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund last made the Champions League final when it was played in London in 2024. They were defeated by Real Madrid, but the German side very rarely sees their spirit defeated.
Dortmund is second in Bundesliga, just eight points adrift of Bayern Munich. With Bayern showing some frailties this calendar year, there remains a slim hope that Dortmund could finally lift the Bundesliga title. Heck, depending on how Friday's draw goes, Dortmund could even land Bayern Munich in the Champions League Round of 16.
Atalanta
There remains a likelihood that Atalanta could reach the Champions League Round of 16. They did themselves no favours, by needing to claw back at a two goal deficit against Dortmund tonight. If they do, though, they will be more than up for facing Arsenal.
Atalanta has entered some pretty impressive form lately. They haven't lost in nine Serie A games, and they even defeated Juventus in the Coppa Italia. Their European form has left a lot to be desired, though, so it remains to be seen if they're even in the picture come Friday's draw.
Could Piero Hincapie play if Arsenal face Bayer Leverkusen?
Yes. UEFA has different rules on loan players to the Premier League. UEFA believes that no team exerts power over another team's selection, even where loaned players are concerned. If Arsenal face Bayer Leverkusen, they are able to field Piero Hincapie if they wish.