Europa League: Arsenal to face CSKA Moscow

Arsenal have been drawn against Russian side CSKA Moscow in the Europa League quarter-finals.

The Gunners will host the first leg at Emirates Stadium on 5 April with the return game in Moscow a week later.

Spanish side Atletico Madrid, who are second in La Liga, face Sporting Lisbon of Portugal.

In the other ties Germany's RB Leipzig play Marseille from France, while Italian club Lazio face Salzburg of Austria.

Arsenal beat AC Milan 3-1 on Thursday, for a 5-1 aggregate win, to reach their first European quarter-final since 2010.

They are 12 points adrift of fourth place in the Premier League and winning the Europa League appears to be their best chance of qualifying for next season's Champions League.

Tie played to a backdrop of tension

Political tensions between the UK and Russia have heightened after a Russian-made nerve agent was used on a former spy and his daughter in the English city of Salisbury.

The UK believes Russia is behind the poisoning, although Moscow denies this.

On Wednesday, the Foreign Office updated its advice for those visiting Russia, saying UK nationals in the country should be "aware of the possibility of anti-British sentiment or harassment".

It said the British Embassy in Moscow was "not aware of any increased difficulties for British people travelling in Russia at this time" but recommended UK nationals "remain vigilant, avoid any protests or demonstrations and avoid commenting publicly on political developments".

The last encounter between Arsenal and CSKA - a Champions League group stage game in 2006 - was attended by the man suspected of the murder of former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko.

An inquiry into the poisoning of Litvinenko with polonium-210 revealed that the men met hours before the match at the Emirates and that traces of the radioactive substance were discovered at the ground.

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Who are CSKA Moscow?

CSKA dropped into the Europa League after finishing third in their Champions League group behind Manchester United and Swiss club Basel.

The team, which includes several Russia players, are third in the Russian Premier League.

Their star men include attacking midfielder Alan Dzagoev and goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev, who in November kept his first Champions League clean sheet for more than 11 years - a run of 43 games.

On-loan Leicester City striker Ahmed Musa is also in the squad.

CSKA are one of only five teams Arsene Wenger has faced more than once as Arsenal boss and failed to win against. Fiorentina, PAOK Salonika, Paris St-Germain and Port Vale are the others.

Europa League draw

RB Leipzig v Marseille

Arsenal v CSKA Moscow

Atletico Madrid v Sporting Lisbon

Lazio v Red Bull Salzburg

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416 comments

Comment posted by Wee Brian, at 12:21 16 Mar 2018
Arsenal have been putin a difficult situation with this draw.
Comment posted by Sirrantsalot, at 12:45 16 Mar 2018
There's 2 ways of looking at this. Either Russia will see it as a high profile dress rehearsal for the WC in 3 months time and there will be no problems.

Or the Russian hooligans will see it as a high profile dress rehearsal for the WC in 3 months time and it will be complete carnage.
Comment posted by Konstantin, at 12:55 16 Mar 2018
I think, that it is not fair to make all Russian people responsible for awful things which done by current regime. Putin and Russia is not the same. We would like to be part of Europe and live in peace with all people. We do not want to poison people and upset other nations. You are welcome in Russia!
Comment posted by What does Marsellus Wallace look like, at 12:22 16 Mar 2018
Stay safe all you Gooners travelling for the away leg!!
Comment posted by uhhuhyeah, at 12:52 16 Mar 2018
21. Sir Regulus

"If these posters think the ARsenal can't hold their own against Russian firms they got another think coming"

Pipe down you Danny Dyer wannabe. It's plonkers like you that put ordinary football fans at risk
Comment posted by Tom, at 12:22 16 Mar 2018
Behind Madrid, that's probably the worst draw Arsenal could have got. Thursday - Sunday games are tricky as it is, let alone with a trip to Russia.

Good luck Arsenal, I loved the Europa League last season (Stockholm was a great away day). From a Man United fan.
Comment posted by Kane9, at 12:20 16 Mar 2018
Bring yer Hazmat suits...!
Comment posted by User0670133231, at 12:22 16 Mar 2018
Had to be UK vs Russia didn't it?
Comment posted by Scorpionwinger, at 12:18 16 Mar 2018
That will be fun in the current political climate! Tin hats!!!
Comment posted by Sasuke, at 12:19 16 Mar 2018
All Arsenal fans celebrating cause they didn't get Atletico Madrid.
Comment posted by roger bowler, at 12:35 16 Mar 2018
No english team should go to Moscow, Russia should be thrown out of the competition and the World cup, They play games at the airport closing lanes waving you over, then closing that lane and laughing at English supporters, The police are no more than thugs, looking to start trouble and give you a beating, and do not intervene when Russian Thugs attack, been once never again Arsenal beware Racists
Comment posted by A sort of greeny bluey thing, at 13:24 16 Mar 2018
Your average Russian might see travelling to North London as a bit risky too... just a thought!
Comment posted by Dan_Dover, at 12:50 16 Mar 2018
Arsenal physio:

Spray, check.

Magic sponge, check.

Gas mask, check.

Atropine, check.

NATO on speed dial...
Comment posted by Football_understand, at 13:38 16 Mar 2018
Why are there Spurs fans on here?

This is about teams currently still left in Europe ;)
Comment posted by User0528358797, at 13:04 16 Mar 2018
Players and fans should stand side by side in unity and tell both our government's and military machines that we can get along just fine thanks and if they want a war then then can go and fight it between themselves and leave us lot out of it.

Politicians and war mongers suck!
Comment posted by D1701965278632, at 12:30 16 Mar 2018
Arsenal have the potential to beat any team in the Europa League.......if they turn up and that’s the issue with the team.

It may be the second competition of Europe but still some good teams in it.
Comment posted by D1679114840169, at 13:33 16 Mar 2018
What is this "UK's Arsenal" nonsense in the teaser? Arsenal are an English club representing England in Europe. There's no UK about it. And I say that as a Scot!
Comment posted by User0695306353, at 12:29 16 Mar 2018
drawing Arsenal against Moscow.....

They`ve got a nerve.......
Comment posted by c day, at 01:30 17 Mar 2018
All these Arsenal and Spurs bickering.....try being a Leyton Orient fan - seven years ago drawing 1-1 with Arsenal. Now we struggle against the likes of Dover and Solihull Moors!
Comment posted by John, at 13:06 16 Mar 2018
Arsenal fans should take the anti-Russia propaganda with a pinch of salt, visited Russia twice warmest, nicest people I've ever met.