Europa League quarter-final draw: Arsenal tasked with Russian job
England's Arsenal will make the long trek to Russia to face CSKA Moscow in the Europa League quarter-finals amid escalating tension between the two countries.
With teams from eight different countries filling the bracket, Friday's draw tossed up a balanced slate of matches.
Along with the Arsenal-CSKA Moscow tie, European newcomer RB Leipzig will meet Marseille for the first time, Sporting CP will be tested by Atletico Madrid, and Lazio will square off against red-hot FC Salzburg.
Here are the full results of Friday's quarter-final draw:
- RB Leipzig vs. Marseille
- Arsenal vs. CSKA Moscow
- Atletico Madrid vs. Sporting CP
- Lazio vs. FC Salzburg
The first legs will be contested on April 5, with the reverse fixtures set for the following week on April 12.
Arsenal will host the opening 90 minutes against CSKA before traveling to Moscow for the second encounter.
The Gunners' trip to the east comes against the backdrop of a diplomatic tug of war between the United Kingdom and Russia following British prime minister Theresa May's decision to expel Russian diplomats over the poisoning of a former Russian spy.
May said earlier this week it was "highly likely" that Moscow was behind the attack. Russia has denied this.
Fun fact: the last time Arsenal played CSKA Moscow in London, the match was attended by Andrei Lugovoi. Who earlier that day, had met Alexander Litvinenko and allegedly slipped polonium in his tea. Traces of polonium were later found at the stadium during the investigation
— Chris Applegate (@chrisapplegate) March 16, 2018
There have also been concerns over hooliganism following violent clashes between fans of England and Russia at Euro 2016. Officials from the UK government had feared those attacks were state-sanctioned.
The Europa League represents Arsenal's last shot at silverware as another disappointing Premier League campaign nears conclusion. Arsene Wenger's side is currently 12 points behind fourth-placed Liverpool in the domestic standings, leaving the Europa League as the only viable route to next season's Champions League.
CSKA, which is third in the Russian Premier League, reached the quarter-finals after a stunning three-goal effort against Lyon on Thursday.