Borussia Dortmund and Lille drew 1-1 with it all to play for next week in France. Aston Villa struck twice late on against Club Brugge to take a two-goal advantage back to the Midlands. Real Madrid will need every part of their slender lead when they travel across the Spanish capital to face fierce rivals Atletico.
Villa are the favourites to progress from their tie now, and so are Real; but Arsenal are the only team who can truly be banked on getting through. They are miles in front at the halfway stage of the first last-16 ties and the upcoming fixtures promise to be tight affairs as well.
Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain is perhaps the best draw whilst Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen couldn't be split in Bundesliga last month. Inter will be backed to beat Feyenoord over two legs in the other most lopsided tie on paper, while Barcelona and Benfica played out a 5-4 hum-dinger during the group phase.
His side were not in good form entering the away leg at PSV. Neither, it must be said, were their opponents. But the destruction and clinical nature of the display will inspire optimism moving forward.
Ethan Nwaneri is the real star of the show as he continues to replace Bukayo Saka on the right with increasing ease. Declan Rice produced one of his most impactful all-round performances in the Netherlands and is among the best in the world in that sort of mood.
Arteta also knows that Arsenal can be tired and uninventive when things don't click. Missing a striker has proven costly in the Premier League title race, but narrow victories or even ground out draws are more valuable in a knockout environment.
This makes the return of Saka something to keep an eye on. Arsenal are hopeful that he will be back after the international break along with Gabriel Martinelli - who has been selected to play for his country later this month as well in an indication that things are headed in the right direction.
Both Saka and Martinelli will plan to be back to match sharpness by April 9, when the quarter-final first legs are due to be played. Arsenal can be almost certain of their place against one of the Madrid sides as they play host before travelling away one week later to complete the tie.
That gives Saka and Martinelli a full month to focus their recovery and integration back into the team for those games. It is a target to aim for and a factor which really does change the picture for Arsenal.
They are a better team with both wingers available and it will also open up Nwaneri to a more natural and withdrawn midfield role if needed. Having the 17-year-old as an option off the bench is also a luxury.
Then there is Ben White. He is ahead of his attacking teammates and has been on the bench in recent weeks. He is yet to start since being ruled out for more than three months with a knee problem. White was used off the bench in the second half against PSV.
Arteta can now carefully manage White's gradual build-up of game time as well. The three are all arguably in Arsenal's strongest XI and will pose new questions of any opponent later in the Champions League. Having gotten through to this stage without them as help, kicking on with their involvement is the sort of boost that Arsenal's rivals are unable to match.
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