On Wednesday, Arsene Wenger discussed how strong the Europa League is this year compared to previous seasons, and named the teams to watch out for.

Currently at the last-16 stage, Arsenal hope to progress to the quarter-finals with the second leg of their tie against AC Milan kicking off on Thursday night. Other than those two sides facing each other, Wenger named the four teams he thinks put the competition “at a higher level than ever”.

Here are those sides that Arsenal may need to watch out for if they make Friday’s draw:

Olympique de Marseille

Marseille have been playing Europa League football for longer than most this season, as they had to make it through two qualifiers just to earn a place in the group stages.

They didn’t have the most inspiring of campaigns in Group I, with two wins, two draws and two defeats, but they’ve looked confident in the knockout rounds so far.

Like Arsenal, they won the first leg of their round-of-32 tie 3-0, before falling to a one-goal defeat in the second. After that, they secured a two-goal lead in their last-16 tie, beating Athletic Bilbao 3-1.

Their star men at the moment are probably Dimitri Payet and Florian Thauvin. Most Arsenal fans will already know both from their respective spells in England.

Payet played for West Ham, and was frequently compared to Mesut Özil for a few months before disappearing back to France. This season he’s scored six goals and provided 15 assists. Three of those goal contributions came in Europa League knockout rounds.

Meanwhile Thauvin spent even less time playing for Newcastle United, only making 13 league appearances before he was loaned back to Marseille. They made the transfer permanent last summer.

Since then, the winger has scored 18 goals and provided 16 assists. I’m sure he’ll be keen to make an impression against English opposition if given the chance.

2017/18 European record

• Wins: 6
• Draws: 4
• Defeats: 3
• Goals scored: 18
• Goals conceded: 9

Atletico Madrid

Atletico started out in the Champions League, but they had a tough group. Chelsea and AS Roma ended up finishing first and second, as the Spanish side simply drew too many matches. That hasn’t been a problem in the Europa League, as they’ve won every game so far.

Atletico’s strength is undoubtedly their defensive record. Despite finishing third in their Champions League group, they only conceded four goals in six games. Arsenal conceded more than that in their last Champions League match alone.

Striker Antoine Griezmann is in his usual impressive form for the side this year, with 20 goals and 11 assists in 35 matches. Goalkeeper Jan Oblak casts a formidable figure in behind the defence, and only adds to their solidity at the back.

Diego Simeone’s side are surely favourites for the tournament.

2017/18 European record

• Wins: 4
• Draws: 4
• Defeats: 1
• Goals scored: 13
• Goals conceded: 5

Borussia Dortmund

Once again, Dortmund started out in the Champions League with a difficult group. They lost every match against Spurs and Real Madrid, and are currently behind 2-1 in their tie with Salzburg.

That doesn’t sound particularly threatening, but on their day Dortmund can be very dangerous. They’ve scored in every single game in Europe this season, despite their poor Champions League results.

Michy Batshuayi moved to the German club on loan in January, and he’s already scored five goals and assisted one since the move. Andre Schurrle is in just as good form, with three goals and two assists in his last eight matches from the wing.

Dortmund are back up to third place in the Bundesliga and unbeaten in 10 league games. If they can make it to the quarter-finals, it’ll be a good sign of their resolve, and I wouldn’t underestimate them. They do need to find a way to transfer their domestic form to Europe if they’re going to do so though.

2017/18 European record

• Wins: 1
• Draws: 3
• Defeats: 5
• Goals scored: 12
• Goals conceded: 18

Olympique Lyonnais

Lyon have been in the Europa League since the start, and they’re having a great campaign. In their last seven matches they’ve won six, losing the seventh 1-0 to Atalanta. They’re currently 1-0 up against CSKA Moscow after the away leg of their tie.

Perhaps the side are driven by the knowledge that this year’s final will take place in Lyon. Playing a major European final at your home ground isn’t an opportunity that comes around very often.

The other factor inspiring the side is Nabil Fekir’s fantastic form. The 24-year-old club captain has 21 goals and six assists this season, despite his midfield role. That includes goals and assists against Everton, Villarreal in the round-of-32, PSG and Monaco. In pretty much every big game he is making an impact.

I’m sure Alexandre Lacazette’s return to his former club would also stir up some emotions. It would certainly be an exciting tie.

2017/18 European record

• Wins: 6
• Draws: 2
• Defeats: 1
• Goals scored: 16
• Goals conceded: 5