The results for the 2017/18 Europa League Round of 16 draw are out, and Arsenal have been handed tough opponents in the form of Italian giants AC Milan. The Rossoneri had a torrid start to the season but seem to be improving under Gennaro Gattuso and this will be the first meeting between the two continental giants since their Round of 16 clash in the Champions League back in 2011/12, a game Milan won 4-3 on aggregate.The draw was conducted at 1pm CET in Nyon, Switzerland today (February 23, 2018)
Leipzig’s reward for knocking out Napoli is a tie against Zenit. The other two Russian sides left in the competition- Lokomotiv and CSKA, will take on Atletico Madrid and Olympique Lyonnais respectively.
Europa League Round of 16 Draw 17/18
Lazio vs Dynamo Kyiv
Leipzig vs Zenit
Atletico Madrid vs Lokomotiv Moscow
CSKA Moscow vs Lyon
Marseille vs Athletic Bilbao
Sporting Lisbon vs Viktoria Plzen
Borussia Dortmund vs Salzburg
AC Milan vs Arsenal
Arsenal had lost the first leg of their CL knockout clash 4-0 to Milan back in 2012, but fell agonisingly short of a magnificient comeback after winning 3-0 at the Emirates.
Dortmund have been drawn against Salzburg while Sporting and Plzen, the only two remaining clubs from their respective countries left in the competition, will lock horns to decide who advances to the last eight.
Europa League Round of 16 Teams Distribution by Country
Russia (3)- CSKA Moscow, Lokomotiv Moscow, Zenit St.Petersburg
France (2)- Lyon, Marseille
Germany (2)- Dortmund, Leipzig
Italy (2)- AC Milan, Lazio
Spain (2)- Athletic Bilbao, Atletico Madrid
England (1)- Arsenal
Portugal (1)- Sporting Lisbon
Austria (1)- Salzburg
Ukraine (1)- Dynamo Kyiv
Czech Republic (1)- Viktoria Plzen