Following the news that Arsenal have drawn Bate Borisov, Koln, and Crvena zvezda in the Europa League, we look at everything you need to know about the competition since this is new territory for Gooners.

Arsenal have been drawn against Bate Borisov, Koln, and Crvena zvezda in Group H.

After finishing fifth in the league last season, one point behind Liverpool, this is the first time Arsenal have been in the Europa League since 1999/2000.

If the Gunners win the tournament, they’ll automatically be entered into the Champions League next term. However, Arsene Wenger insists he’s going to be fully focusing on the Premiership this season.

Who?

There are 48 teams across 12 groups, 16 of which have been automatically entered. 22 progressed through the play-off rounds, which have already been held, and 10 are Champions League drop-outs.

Here are how the pots were seeded ahead of the draw. Although it’s important to note that Everton could never have drawn Arsenal since despite being in different pots as, just like in the Champions League, teams from the same league can’t be drawn against each other at this stage.

POT 1

Arsenal
Zenit St Petersburg
Lyon
Dynamo Kiev
Villarreal
Athletic Bilbao
Lazio
AC Milan
Viktoria Plzen
Salzburg
Copenhagen
Braga

POT 2

Steaua Bucharest
Ludogorets
BATE Borisov
Everton
Young Boys
Marseille
Real Sociedad
Maccabi Tel-Aviv
Lokomotiv Moscow
Austria Wien
Hertha Berlin
Nice

POT 3

Astana
Partizan Belgrade
Hoffenheim
Koln
Rijeka
Vitoria Guimaraes
Atalanta
Zulte Waregem
Zorya Luhansk
Rosenborg
Sheriff Tiraspol
Hapoel Beer-Sheva

POT 4

Apollon
Istanbul Basaksehir
Konyaspor
Vitesse
Slavia Prague
Red Star Belgrade (aka Crvena zvezda)
Skenderbeu
Zlin
AEK Athens
Lugano
Vardar Skopje
Ostersunds

When?