Credit: Imago

Evan Lloyd

Mon 9 March 2026 12:49, UK

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Arsenal are the favourites to win the Champions League this season for what would be the first time in their history.

Along with Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester City and Newcastle United, the Gunners will play the first leg of their last 16 tie this week.

Mikel Arteta’s team will play on Wednesday as they travel to Germany to take on Bayer Leverkusen.

The clash is among several eye-catching match-ups this week, including Atletico Madrid against Tottenham, and Chelsea against PSG.

Should Arsenal win on Wednesday, they may well rotate their squad for the return leg at the Emirates Stadium, as Arteta looks to cover all four fronts.

Supercomputer backs Premier League side to go all the way

Former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness exclusively told Football Insider last week that Arsenal must win a trophy to justify the investment in their squad.

The Gunners have consistently challenged for the Premier League and the Champions League over the last few years, but are yet to show that they have the makings to get over the line.

But something appears to be different about Arteta’s side this season, with all four trophies still up for grabs.

The Gunners will play the Carabao Cup final against Man City later this month, and qualified for the quarter-final of the FA Cup on Saturday.

They remain the favourites to win the Premier League, currently boasting a seven-point advantage at the top, and Opta‘s supercomputer has given them a 26.66 per cent chance of winning the Champions League.

Bayern Munich are considered the second favourites with 16.37 per cent, while Liverpool (11.36 per cent) and Man City (11.05 per cent) are also strong contenders.

What could Arsenal’s route to European glory look like?

Should Arsenal beat Bayer Leverkusen over two legs, they will face a match-up with either Sporting CP or Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt.

The supercomputer’s pick for that tie is Sporting CP, and if the Gunners get past them, it will be one of Barcelona, Newcastle, Atletico Madrid or Tottenham in the semi-final.

Unsurprisingly, the supercomputer favours Barcelona for that meeting, with Arsenal then predicted to meet Bayern Munich in the final.

Arteta’s team will not be getting ahead of themselves, however, with the challenge of Bayer Leverkusen to be focused on first.