Experts are still amazed by Arsenal – one of the most outstanding teams, not only in English football.
The North London team defeated hosts Inter Milan at their home ground, Giuseppe Meazza, extending their perfect record of seven wins in seven matches and becoming the first club to secure a direct spot in the Round of 16. Their consistent play, strong squad depth, and the composure of their players have helped Arsenal surpass the rest in the long-distance race under the new format.
Arsenal are making steady progress in all four domestic and continental competitions. This is a positive sign, indicating they are ready for a successful campaign to end their long trophy drought.
Not only Arsenal, but a host of other "big clubs" have almost secured their place in the knockout round, although their final rankings are still to be determined. Real Madrid made a strong impression with a crushing 6-1 victory over Monaco, confirming their return as a top European force and showcasing their formidable attacking power. With the "Galacticos" Kylian Mbappé, Vinicius Junior, and Jude Bellingham all shining, no one doubted Real Madrid's place among the 24 teams advancing, including their chances of making it into the top 8.
Arsenal and their explosive journey in the Champions League. (Photo: UEFA)
Tottenham took a significant step forward by beating Dortmund 2-0, a performance completely opposite to their usual Premier League form. The three points earned at home not only solidified Tottenham's position in the top group but also brought them very close to securing direct qualification for the Round of 16.
Sporting CP also caused a major surprise by defeating the reigning champions PSG in an emotional match. As a result, Sporting CP rose to 6th place, officially becoming an interesting phenomenon in the classification round.
Meanwhile, the shocking slip-up by former champions Man City against the relatively unknown Bodo/Glimt has put Pep Guardiola's team in a very worrying situation. A series of defeats both domestically and internationally forces "The Citizens" to gamble their fate in the final matchday against the extremely difficult Galatasaray. The risk of having to play in the play-offs with a tight schedule and an unpredictable opponent is clearly something Man City does not want.
Conversely, the group destined for early elimination has gradually emerged, with two names officially identified: Villarreal and Kairat Almaty... While Kairat Almaty's elimination is unsurprising given their status as a small team participating in the tournament for the first time, Villarreal's poor performance has surprised many. Villarreal hasn't even won a single match, drawing one and losing six in the Champions League.
While Bayern Munich, Liverpool, and Barcelona hold their fate in their own hands, the "big names" like Inter Milan, Man City, Atalanta, and Juventus all have their chances of progressing open, as their final standings are still in doubt.