In the current format, which came into play last season, the top eight teams progress straight through to the last 16 and avoid a two-legged knockout play-off tie.
Still, Mikel Arteta’s side beat the Serie A leaders 3-1 at the San Siro to confirm a top-two finish, meaning they are assured of hosting the second legs in their knockout matches.
Arsenal required a minimum of one point from a dead-rubber game against debutants Kairat on Wednesday to seal top spot in the league phase and ended up winning 3-2.
Who will Arsenal face in Champions League last 16?
Arsenal’s progression straight through to the last 16 means they will not face fixture congestion in February.
The last-16 draw takes place on Friday, February 27. The first leg of those ties will be played on either March 10 or March 11, with the return fixtures a week later.
As a result of finishing first in the league phase, Arsenal will face the winners of the knockout phase play-off between the 15th and 16th, or 17th and 18th seeds.
Following a dramatic final night in the league phase, Arsenal’s potential opponents for the last 16 have been confirmed, and after the first round of play-off fixtures were completed, just three possible teams remain.
- Atalanta
- Bayer Leverkusen
- Borussia Dortmund
Therefore if Arsenal are placed on the silver path they will face the winners of the Dortmund vs Atalanta tie, while they will be drawn against either Olympiacos or Leverkusen if placed on the blue path.