ARSENAL could face a nightmare draw in the next round of the Champions League despite being on track to finish in the top four of the new-look league phase.
The Gunners have looked strong in the Champions League this season and all-but guaranteed their spot in the top eight with a 3-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday.
The new league phase means that the teams that finish in the top eight avoid playing in a play-off game to reach the Last-16 that teams placed between ninth and 24th must compete in.
Arsenal should finish in the top eight barring a disaster, and are projected to finish either third of fourth by beating Spanish outfit Girona in their final game of the league phase next week.
However, they may not be rewarded as much as they’d like for their efforts.
A supercomputer has predicted where every team will finish in the league phase and it makes grim reading for the Gunners’ when it comes to their seeded opponent in the next round.
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Despite being on course for a nice break from European football by avoiding the play-offs, Arsenal are in line to take on one of four European giants in the last 16 proper.
A third or fourth placed finish would see them face one of the teams that finishes 13th, 14th, 19th or 20th in the league phase when they play their last 16 clash.
According to the Football Rankings’ supercomputer, those four teams are most likely to be Sporting Lisbon, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus.
Two of the four European heavyweights will have to do battle themselves in a play-off to book their spot against the Gunners.
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But should the league phase end as predicted then it would leave Arsenal with a really tricky tie.
Each of Sporting and PSG would face one of Real Madrid and Juventus in the play-off round, according to the projection.
Afterwards, each winner would face one of Arsenal or Inter Milan in the last 16 phase, under the complicated new system.
That said, Arsenal will take confidence from the fact that they have already got the better of both PSG (2-0) and Sporting (5-1) in the league phase this season.
Juventus and Real Madrid would be a different story for Mikel Arteta’s side with the Gunners’ not facing either club since their 2006 Champions League campaign.
Of course, it’s all hypothetical and depends on what results actually come to fruition when all 36 Champions League teams face off at the same time next Wednesday.
But Arteta will be confident that his team are in a good position to give any opposition a game, having won five of their seven games in the Champions League this term and not conceded a single goal from open play in the competition.
Arsenal ratings vs Dinamo: Martinelli makes himself undroppable as Sterling blows big chance
By Katherine Walsh
David Raya – 6
A really poor clearance invited pressure from Dinamo’s front three in the first half. A heart in mouth moment for sure.
But rarely touched the ball from then on, with the Croatian side not registering a single shot at the Spaniard in 90 minutes.
Jurrien Timber – 5
Involved in early attacks and got back to block a dangerous Dinamo counter as things settled in the 12th minute.
But was caught sleeping after Luca Stojkovic won the ball off him on the edge of his box, before Jakub Kiwior’s handy interception.
Gabriel – 6
Missed a sitter to make it 2-0 after Odegaard put it on a sixpence from a corner.
Held off Stojkovic whenever he was called upon, although Dinamo offered little going forward.
Jakub Kiwior – 7
For all the scrutiny he’s faced, the Pole saved regular starter Timber from embarrassment and a sure Dinamo chance inside 33 minutes.
Oleksandr Zinchenko – 7
With teen Myles Lewis Skelly carrying a knock, the Ukrainian was forward thinking and whipped crosses into Havertz all evening.
Declan Rice – 8
Fired Arsenal ahead with a thunderous volley inside 105 seconds – his first-ever goal in the competition.
But his usual corner deliveries were affected by the deafening away end pelting plastic cups and lighters at his back.
Ran his heart out but fluffed a poor header, reminiscent of the same chance missed against Man Utd in the FA Cup defeat, to make it 3-0.
Jorginho – 6
Horror backpass almost cost his side the lead when he put Raya in trouble inside 30 minutes.
But worked hard to win the ball back and put Martinelli through for a blistering run.
Martin Odegaard – 7
Engine of the team. Dropped back into midfield to provide an outlet for Kiwior whenever he could.
A tap-in at the death saw him score his first goal since the 5-2 win over West Ham in November to make it 3-0.
Raheem Sterling – 4
A non-event. The former England winger was weak in front of goal yet again.
But some lovely Sterling-esque runs of old were a nice watch at times, if that’s all he had to offer.
Lucky to avoid a straight red after a nasty challenge on Maxime Bernauer’s ankle with his studs just seconds into the second half.
Gabriel Martinelli – 8
A last-ditch tackle denied him what would have been a sensational solo goal from a 60-yard run that woke Arsenal from their slumber.
Was the main attacking threat and had a hand in both goals, first crossing into Havertz, who laid it on for Rice, before a glorious curling ball into the German for 2-0.
Has the Brazilian made himself undroppable moving forward?
Kai Havertz – 7
Brushed off recent criticism with a perfect lay-off for Rice to smash home and doubled Arsenal’s lead with a laid-on header in the 66th minute.
Was happy to score but was wasteful before finding the back of the net and often absent in box during first-half attacks.
Subs
Ethan Nwaneri (for Sterling, 57 mins) – 6
A loud applause welcomed the teen back from injury, but he didn’t have to do much against such weak opposition.
Thomas Partey (for Timber, 57 mins) – 6
Assured cameo in midfield.
Kieran Tierney (for Zinchenko, 73 mins) – 5
Calm on the ball after coming on.
Leandro Trossard (for Havertz) – 5
Made his 100th appearance for the club.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
