Europa League Second Knockout Round Draw
The draw for the Europa League round of 16 took place at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland, on Friday morning. With few club games taking place in football today, all eyes were on the draw.
The group-stage winners were paired against the knockout play-off winners in the second knockout round.
As one of the eight section-toppers, Arsenal were in the seeded pot for the draw alongside Union Saint-Gilloise, Fenerbahce, Feyenoord, Ferencvaros, Freiburg, Real Betis and Real Sociedad.
Mikel Arteta delivered an injury update on star striker Gabriel Jesus, hinting the Brazilian could be ready for the Londonders' upcoming European commitments, according to the Daily Mirror.
The Gunners' bitter Premier League rivals Manchester United headlined the list of play-off winners after ousting runaway La Liga leaders Barcelona in a blockbuster first knockout round tie.
In addition to the Red Devils, Bayer Leverkusen, Union Berlin, Juventus, Roma, Sporting CP, Sevilla and Shakhtar Donetsk were the seven remaining unseeded teams.
As ever, UEFA's official website streamed the draw live as the Europa League hopefuls found out who they have to beat in the next round to reach the quarter-finals.
Here's the Europa League last-16 draw in full:
- Union Berlin vs Union Saint-Gilloise
- Sevilla vs Fenerbahçe
- Juventus vs Freiburg
- Leverkusen vs Ferencváros
- Sporting CP vs Arsenal
- Man United vs Betis
- Roma vs Real Sociedad
- Shakhtar vs Feyenoord
When is the Europa League round of 16?
The first legs will take place on March 9, with the return fixtures falling a week later on March 16.
Most Exciting Match-ups
Sporting CP vs Arsenal
Arsenal steamrolled to a top place in Group, racking up five wins from six group outings, except for a 2-0 defeat at PSV Eindhoven on matchday five.
Despite being embroiled in a hot Premier League title race with Manchester City, Arteta's men will unlikely underestimate the possibility of landing the Europa League title for the first time.
The unners last featured in the Europa League final in 2018/19 but fell short to fellow London rivals Chelsea, going down 4-1 in the historic Baku showpiece.
But Primeira Liga title hopefuls Sporting CP are no pushovers, as evidenced by their overwhelming 5-1 aggregate triumph over Danish outfit Midtjylland in the play-off round.
Although it's been five years since Sporting last qualified for the Europa League quarter-finals, sought-after manager Ruben Amorim is hellbent on going the distance in Europe's second-tier competition this season.
Manchester United vs Real Betis
Man Utd cannot avoid Spanish opposition this season.
After securing a runner-up finish to Real Sociedad in Group E and overcoming Barcelona 4-3 on aggregate in the play-off round, Erik ten Hag's side must navigate another European tie against La Liga opponents.
Betis proved their continental credentials by beating Jose Mourinho's Roma to a top-place finish in Group C, dropping points only once in six autumn Europa League fixtures (W5, D1).
Manuel Pellegrini's men are currently on the periphery of La Liga's top-four and deserve the benefit of the doubt despite entering this tie as outsiders.
Before continuing their nearly-flawless Europa League journey, Man Utd will battle it out for a first trophy under the stewardship of ten Hag, with a League Cup final against Newcastle United awaiting them at the weekend.