Eight games. Eight wins. Zero mercy.
Arsenal have stormed into the Champions League knockouts — but their path to glory could be brutal.
With the draw looming and the final set for Budapest on May 30, a simulation has mapped out a nightmare — or perhaps destiny-defining — route to European immortality for Mikel Arteta’s side.
And it includes Manchester City.
🏆 Round of 16: Atalanta Away
After topping the league phase with a flawless eight wins from eight, Arsenal are seeded — meaning a second leg at the Emirates is guaranteed.
In the simulation, the Gunners are handed Atalanta.
The Italian side may sit seventh in Serie A, but they’re dangerous. They crushed Borussia Dortmund 4-1 in the second leg of their play-off and even beat Chelsea at home during the league phase.
Not elite. But not pushovers.
Arsenal would back themselves — especially with the return leg in North London — but Europe punishes complacency.
⚔ Quarter-Final: Manchester City or Real Madrid
If Arsenal advance, the reward? Either Manchester City or Real Madrid.
Let that sink in.
Real Madrid have knocked City out five times in six knockout meetings since 2015-16. Pep Guardiola’s men would be desperate for revenge — and would hold home advantage in the second leg.
But for Arsenal fans, one tie stands out.
Manchester City.
Title rivals. Carabao Cup final opponents. The measuring stick of the modern era.
A two-legged European showdown between Arteta and Guardiola would be combustible. Tactical chess at its highest level. Familiar faces. No secrets.
Win that — and Arsenal wouldn’t just reach a semi-final.
They’d send a statement across Europe.
🔥 Semi-Final: PSG, Chelsea, Spurs or Galatasaray
The simulation sets up a potential clash with Paris Saint-Germain in the last four.
Holders. Serial winners. The team that eliminated Arsenal 3-1 on aggregate in last season’s semi-final.
Redemption narrative? Absolutely.
Chelsea and Tottenham are also on that side of the draw, but PSG would be favourites to navigate through — and Arsenal would likely need to overcome the French giants to reach Budapest.
All while fighting for the Premier League title domestically.
Pressure doesn’t begin to describe it.
🏟 Final in Budapest: Bayern Munich
On the opposite side of the draw? Bayern Munich.
Second in the league phase. 22 goals in eight European matches. 85 goals in 23 Bundesliga games.
A machine.
The simulation predicts Bayern would brush past Bayer Leverkusen, potentially overcome Bodo/Glimt or Sporting, and then defeat one of Barcelona, Newcastle, Liverpool or Atletico Madrid in the semis.
That sets up a heavyweight final:
Arsenal vs Bayern Munich.
There’s history here.
The Gunners already beat Bayern 3-1 at the Emirates in November — the German side’s only European defeat this season.
But a final is different. Legacy is different.
For Bayern, it would be a quest for a seventh Champions League crown.
For Arsenal?
A first in club history.
🚨 Simulated Route to Glory
R16: Atalanta
Quarter-Final: Manchester City
Semi-Final: PSG
Final: Bayern Munich
Daunting. Dramatic. Defining.
If Arsenal are to lift the Champions League for the first time, they may have to beat the Premier League’s standard-bearers, the reigning European champions, and Germany’s most ruthless machine.
No easy route. No soft landing.
But perhaps that’s fitting.
Because if Arteta’s Arsenal are to truly announce themselves as Europe’s new powerhouse, they won’t want shortcuts.
They’ll want the hardest road.
And Budapest might just be waiting.
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