GABRIEL JESUS FIRES ARSENAL INTO CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LAST 16 WITH DOMINANT INTER MILAN BRACE
Gabriel Jesus scored twice as Arsenal beat Inter Milan 3-1. The Gunners secure a top-eight finish and a place in the UCL last 16.
Gabriel Jesus fired Arsenal into the last 16 of the Champions League with a brace in Tuesday’s 3-1 win at Inter Milan, locking up a top-eight finish for the Gunners.
He struck twice from close range in the first half, and Arsenal walked away with their seventh straight win in the group stage at the San Siro. Now, Mikel Arteta’s got a real selection headache before Manchester United come to the Emirates on Sunday.
Jesus started ahead of summer, signing Viktor Gyokeres—who’s had a tough season—but Gyokeres still made his mark, putting away a tidy finish in the 84th minute to put the game to bed. Jesus just looked sharp all night.
Before this match, Jesus had only started twice all season. He’s finally finding his rhythm again after spending nearly a year out with a torn cruciate ligament.
He was emotional after the game. “It’s a dream night. I always dreamed of being a footballer. I watched a lot of Serie A as a kid, so being here, scoring here—I’ve got tears in my eyes,” he told Amazon Prime. “Things happen for a reason. Whether it’s the good stuff or the tough stuff, you learn. I learned a lot during those 11 months I was out.”
With this win, Arsenal sits on 21 points. Honestly, they were basically through before kickoff—last year, 16 points were enough for a top-eight spot. But Jesus made sure they’re six points clear at the top, with Bayern Munich chasing before their game against Union Saint-Gilloise on Wednesday.
Inter, who levelled through a fantastic Petar Sucic goal in the 18th minute, now sit ninth. That’s three straight losses in Europe’s top competition—a first in their history.
The Serie A leaders have slipped out of the top eight, and even if they beat Borussia Dortmund next week, their maximum tally is 15 points. So, Inter’s looking at the playoffs, even after starting the group with four wins.
What’s worse for Cristian Chivu’s team is that it’s another big-game flop. They’ve struggled when the stakes are high and were sloppy for both of Jesus’ goals.
Arsenal looked set for an easy night when Jesus poked home the opener in the 10th minute, capitalising after Jurrien Timber mishit a shot. That was Jesus’ first Champions League goal since November 2023.
But Inter hit back fast—Sucic smashed in a beauty, and suddenly Arsenal had work to do.
Sucic nearly had another in the 27th minute, sprinting clear thanks to Lautaro Martinez, but he hesitated, then sent a poor pass to Marcus Thuram, who blasted over.
Four minutes later, Inter paid for that miss. Jesus was left all alone at the back post during one of Arsenal’s clever set pieces. Bukayo Saka floated a corner, Leandro Trossard headed it off the bar, and Jesus was there to finish.
Inter didn’t give up, though. Federico Dimarco and sub Pio Esposito both threatened with angled shots, but Gyokeres finished them off on the break, letting Arsenal fans focus on United next.
TOTTENHAM CONFIRM MANAGER POSITION FOR CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MATCH AGAINST ATLETICO MADRID
Tottenham confirm Igor Tudor will remain in charge for the Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid this Tuesday.
Tottenham has put an end to the speculation about Igor Tudor’s future by confirming he will stay on as head coach for their upcoming Champions League match against Atletico Madrid. Sky Sports reports Tudor will lead the pre-match press conference on Tuesday ahead of this crucial fixture.
Pressure on Tudor had been mounting following a rocky start at Tottenham. There were murmurs he might be sacked after a series of disappointing results, but the late 1-1 draw against Liverpool seems to have provided a reprieve. Before that, the assumption was that one more loss, especially away at Anfield, could cost him his job. Confirming Tudor’s role for the Atletico clash signals the club is sticking with him for now, at least through the next big challenge.
That challenge is significant. Spurs are trailing 5-2 on aggregate after the first leg against Atletico, a match that drew sharp criticism for Tottenham’s performance. The game was difficult to watch, not only because of the scoreline but also because of a striking moment when goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky was taken off just 17 minutes in, a rare and unsettling decision that highlighted deeper issues.
For Tudor, Tuesday’s match is both a test and an opportunity to demonstrate leadership. The confirmation of his position brings mixed feelings among fans. There’s a recognition that stability is important during such a hectic part of the season, yet lingering doubts remain after some shaky displays.
Fans watched the first leg against Atletico with a sense of disbelief. Conceding five goals and that early goalkeeper substitution raised legitimate questions about the team’s preparation and tactical choices. That substitution felt emblematic of a chaotic night, reflecting larger problems.
The gritty draw with Liverpool, though, offered a glimpse of fighting spirit and earned some credit for resilience, even if the overall form is inconsistent. Moments like that can offer managers breathing room in tough times.
Still, supporters crave clarity and a long-term vision. Tottenham has shifted its direction multiple times in recent years, and the fans want a coherent plan moving forward. Tudor now has a clear chance to reinforce his authority and bring some order against a tough Atletico side.
Even if overcoming the deficit proves elusive, Spurs supporters will be looking for signs of organisation, determination, and a stronger team identity. That might be the most valuable takeaway from the clash.
UCL DRAW 2026 LAST 16: PREMIER LEAGUE GIANTS FACE BRUTAL DRAW IN QUEST FOR EUROPEAN GLORY 2026
The Champions League draw is out! Read the full list of fixtures, including Man City vs Real Madrid and Newcastle’s trip to Barcelona.
Manchester City will go head-to-head with Real Madrid in what’s easily the standout fixture of this season’s Champions League round of 16.
UEFA stuck to the same process as last year’s new format, running the draws for the last 16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals all on the same day in Nyon, Switzerland.
There’s still plenty of English interest left in the competition. Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle, Tottenham, and Man City all made it through, which pretty much guarantees the Premier League an extra Champions League spot next season thanks to the UEFA coefficient.
With the seeding and pairing rules, each of the 16 teams already knew they’d be facing one of just two possible opponents in the next round.
Liverpool and Tottenham ended up in the same section of the bracket. No surprise, since they finished third and fourth in their groups.
Arsenal, who topped their group, drew Bayern Munich. Manchester City got Sporting Lisbon, and Chelsea lined up against Barcelona.
After Newcastle’s play-off win over Qarabag, they were slotted into their section of the bracket.
Now that the draw’s done, here’s what’s coming up: Chelsea will take on defending champions PSG, and Newcastle will get Barcelona.
Real Madrid against Manchester City is the pick of the bunch, two giants going toe-to-toe.
Liverpool will face Galatasaray, while Tottenham will meet Atletico Madrid.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are set to play either Bayer Leverkusen or Atalanta – a tricky tie either way.
Here’s the full Champions League last 16 draw for 2025/26:
Manchester City vs Real Madrid
Bodø/Glimt vs Sporting
Paris Saint-Germain vs Chelsea
Newcastle vs Barcelona
Galatasaray vs Liverpool
Atletico Madrid vs Tottenham
Atalanta vs Bayern Munich
Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal
And for the Europa League quarter-finals:
Paris Saint-Germain/Chelsea vs Galatasaray/Liverpool
Real Madrid/Manchester City vs Atalanta/Bayern Munich
Newcastle/Barcelona vs Tottenham/Atletico Madrid
Bodø/Glimt/Sporting vs Bayer Leverkusen/Arsenal
The Europa League semi-finals shape up like this:
Paris Saint-Germain/Chelsea/Galatasaray/Liverpool vs Real Madrid/Manchester City/Atalanta/Bayern Munich
Newcastle/Barcelona/Tottenham/Atletico Madrid vs Bodo/Glimt/Sporting/Bayer Leverkusen/Arsenal
As for the dates, here’s what you need to know:
Round of 16: March 10/11 & 17/18, 2026
Quarter-finals: April 7/8 & 14/15, 2026
Semi-finals: April 28/29 & May 5/6, 2026
Final: May 30, 2026, in Budapest
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