Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has rejected suggestions that Arsenal have been handed a favourable route to the UEFA Champions League final following Friday’s draw.
The draw for the Round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals set up a potential path for Arsenal that some observers described as less demanding compared to other sides.
Mikel Arteta’s team will face Bayer Leverkusen in the Round of 16. Should they overcome the Bundesliga side, Arsenal would meet either Bodo/Glimt or Sporting CP in the next round.
On the other side of the bracket, Manchester City have been drawn against Real Madrid for the fifth consecutive season in the competition.
If City eliminate the Spanish giants, they are expected to face Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals.
Responding to claims that Arsenal’s side of the draw is easier, Guardiola dismissed the notion.
“That would be so disrespectful,” he said. “If you want to go through in this competition right now, you have to beat the best teams, otherwise you don’t deserve it.”
City and Arsenal are both seeking European glory, with the knockout stages promising high-profile clashes across the tournament.
