Arsenal draw CSKA Moscow in Europa League quarter-finals… 24 hours after Prime Minister Theresa May announces World Cup boycott

ARSENAL have been drawn against CSKA Moscow in the Europa League quarter-finals - just 24 hours after Theresa May announced the government's World Cup boycott.

The PM confirmed no ministers or Royal Family members will go to the tournament following the poisoning of Russian ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury last week.

2

The Gunners will be the first English team to face any Russian opposition since the decision was made.

They avoid favourites Atletico Madrid and big-hitters Lazio and Marseille.

But the Russians will still prove a tough test for the Gunners having knocked out Lyon in the last round.

The 3,600 mile round trip is sure to exhaust Arsene Wenger's men.

2

Arsenal are set to host CSKA on April 5 - sandwiched between Premier League home clashes against Stoke and Southampton.

They travel to Moscow on April 12 and have just three days to recover before the trip north to Newcastle.

Arsenal overcame AC Milan over two legs to progress in the tournament.

A Danny Welbeck double and one more from Granit Xhaka at the Emirates last night sealed their place.

LATEST ARSENAL NEWS

NET WORTH

Football’s most explosive divorces…including split over twins fathered by ex

FOOTBALL FACTORY

I was sacked as a factory worker then trained with Arsenal just days later

TAKE A BAO

When is the Carabao Cup semi-final draw? Date, live stream FREE and ball numbers

CRYSTAL CLEAR

Fans fume Palace 'robbed' in Arsenal clash with Jesus 'clearly offside'

The Europa League is Arsenal's best chance of qualifying for next season's Champions League.

Wenger's side are 12 points off fourth-placed Liverpool.

And the Frenchman made it clear his intention is to focus on Europe by resting skipper Laurent Koscielny and Aaron Ramsey for Sunday's Premier League clash against Watford.

Wenger has already highlighted Atletico as the favourites.

Last night, he said: "We would certainly want to avoid Atletico Madrid.

"Maybe the team that's the biggest favourite is Atletico but anyway, what I like doesn't matter too much because I have no influence."

Atletico have drawn Sporting Lisbon, while RB Leipzig face Marseille and Lazio take on RB Salzburg.