Arsenal and Manchester United secured quarter-final spots in the Women's Champions League via the new two-legged play-off format, while Chelsea qualified directly after finishing top four in the league phase. The revamped 18-team competition replaces the old four-team groups, introducing a league phase where the top four advance directly to the knockout stage, the bottom six are eliminated, and the remaining eight join a seeded play-off. Arsenal's 7-1 aggregate win over OH Leuven and United's 5-0 victory against Atletico Madrid highlight their progression, but questions linger about the format's impact.

Former Arseblog writer Tim Stillman suggests the new structure offers a more serene campaign for top clubs like Arsenal, protecting them from the 'jeopardy' of the old system where losing key matches could mean elimination. Chelsea's direct qualification as a top seed contrasts with their past struggles against Barcelona and Lyon in the league phase, though they face a tough test against Arsenal next. The three English representatives underscore the league's growing strength, though the format's long-term benefits remain to be seen.