Arsenal to face Real Madrid and Bayern in Champions League

Arsenal now know their eight opponents for the 2026–27 Champions League league phase after Thursday’s draw, and the path is anything but simple. The Gunners will open at home against Real Madrid on September 8, welcoming the Spanish giants to the Emirates in one of the round’s headline fixtures. They will also travel to Germany to face Bayern Munich, adding another heavyweight challenge to their schedule. Arsenal host Borussia Dortmund, Lille, Sabah and Slavia Prague, giving them four additional home matches in north London.

Their remaining away trips will take them to Real Betis and Napoli, two notoriously difficult venues. The draw places Arsenal in a demanding but compelling mix of elite opposition and rising contenders, offering a clear test of their depth and consistency. With Real Madrid at home and Bayern away among the marquee clashes, the Gunners face a league phase that will require sharp focus from the very first matchday.