Manchester United and Arsenal discover Europa League opponents

Tricky ties await the Premier League pair.

Both Manchester United and Arsenal found out their next opponents in this season’s Europa League, after the Round of 16 draw took place in Swizterland this morning.

Erik ten Hag’s side will face Real Betis in the last 16, whilst Mikel Arteta’s table-topping Arsenal will take on the challenge of Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon.

United, who had to come through an additional qualifying round unlike the Gunners after failing to top their group, secured their place in the next stage of the competition with a stellar 4-3 aggregate win over Barcelona.

Toppling the Spanish giants last night at Old Trafford, ten Hag’s resurgent United side fought back from the concession of a Robert Lewandowski penalty to claim a 2-1 win on the night.

For Manchester United, the trip to the city of Seville to compete against Real Betis will be their third to Spain of the season. After facing Real Sociedad and Barcelona, the Red Devils will be hoping to best the side managed by former Manchester City coach Manuel Pelligrini.

Arsenal on the other hand have not featured in European competition since defeating Swiss side FC Zurich all the way back on the 3rd of November last year.

That result meant they finished atop of their group which also included Dutch side PSV Eindhoven and Norwegian outfit Bodo Glimt, in turn ensuring direct passage to the Round of 16.

Arsenal’s reward for their group stage professionalism is a trip to Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon, who currently sit fourth in their domestic league. The Gunners last faced Sporting back in the 2018 group stages of the Europa League, recording an away win before drawing at the Emirates Stadium.

The ties will take place across the 9th and 16th of March, with both Arsenal and Man United looking to make the next step towards May’s final in Budapest, Hungary.

Catch the full draw below:

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