Arsenal only just qualified for the next round of the UEFA Europa League despite losing to Ostersunds last night, and they could now be drawn against any of the 15 teams left in the competition. Arsenal started this competition as one of the favourites to win it, but after last night I can’t see any of our possible opponents worrying about facing us in the next round.
Of these 15, 10 of them have previously appeared in the Final, and it is worth noting that the three Russian sides and Dynamo Kyiv CANNOT be drawn together as a precaution. Considering that a Spanish police officer died during confrontations with Spartak Moscow fans last night, no one will want to welcome the Russians into their grounds.
Although Atletico Madrid and Dortmund are the obvious dangers, I think that the worst possible outcome for Arsenal would to be drawn against Locomotiv Moscow who are clear at the top of their League and have won 8 of their last 10 League games. In March temperatures usually drop to -10 and lower in Moscow!
Here is a list of all the possibilities….
AC Milan (ITA)
Round of 32: 3-0(A), 1-0(H) v Ludogorets
Domestic league position: 7th
Athletic Club Bilbao (ESP)
Round of 32: 3-1(A), 1-2(H) v Spartak Moskva
Domestic league position: 14th
Atlético Madrid (ESP)
Round of 32: 4-1(A), 1-0(H) v København
Domestic league position: 2nd
CSKA Moskva (RUS)
Round of 32: 0-0(A), 1-0(H) v Crvena zvezda
Domestic league position: 5th
Dortmund (GER)
Round of 32: 3-2(H), 1-1(A) v Atalanta
Domestic league position: 2nd
Dynamo Kyiv (UKR)
Round of 32: 1-1(A), 0-0(H) v AEK Athens
Domestic league position: 2nd
Lazio (ITA)
Round of 32: 0-1(A), 5-1(H) v Steaua București
Domestic league position: 4th
Leipzig (GER)
Round of 32: 3-1(A), 0-2(H) v Napoli
Domestic league position: 5th
Lokomotiv Moskva (RUS)
Round of 32: 3-2(A), 1-0(H) v Nice
Domestic league position: 1st
Lyon (FRA)
Round of 32: 3-1(H), 1-0(A) v Villarreal
Domestic league position: 4th
Marseille (FRA)
Round of 32: 3-0(H), 0-1(A) v Braga
Domestic league position: 3rd
Plzeň (CZE)
Round of 32: 1-1(A), 2-0(H) v Partizan
Domestic league position: 1st
Salzburg (AUT)
Round of 32: 2-2(A), 2-1(H) v Real Sociedad
Domestic league position: 1st
Sporting Club (POR)
Round of 32: 3-1(A), 3-3 (H) v Astana
Domestic league position: 3rd
Zenit (RUS)
Round of 32: 0-1(A), 3-0(H) v Celtic
Domestic league position: 2nd
Who would you like to draw?
Admin