Arsenal are set to return to the UEFA Champions League for the first time since the 2016-17 season, as the draw for the group stage unfolded today at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco.
- Arsenal return to the UEFA Champions League after a six-year absence.
- Under Arsène Wenger, Arsenal had 19 consecutive qualifications but struggled in recent years to secure a top-four Premier League spot.
- Arsenal’s group-stage campaign will commence on 19/20 September 2023.
A legacy to uphold
Under the management of legendary French manager Arsène Wenger, Arsenal were once mainstays in this prestigious European competition.
Wenger led the Gunners to an impressive 19 consecutive qualifications for the Champions League between 1998 and 2017.
The pinnacle was reached in 2006 when Arsenal made their way to the finals, only to be narrowly defeated 2-1 by FC Barcelona.
However, in recent years, Arsenal have struggled to secure a spot among the Premier League’s top four, which grants automatic qualification to the Champions League.
Their last successful campaign saw them finish as runners-up behind Leicester City during the 2015-16 Premier League season.
Since then, the closest they’ve come was a fifth-place finish and a runners-up spot in the Europa League in 2019.
The Group stage
Clubs from the same country cannot be drawn into the same group. Each club will play one home and one away match against each of the other clubs in their respective groups.
The group stage will comprise 96 matches, with 16 matches occurring per matchday, spread over six matchdays.
Arsenal were placed in Pot 2
Arsenal’s Champions League Group
Arsenal were drawn into Group B.
- Sevilla
- Arsenal
- PSV Eindhoven
- RC Lens
A Glimpse into the Future
Arsenal will commence their group-stage campaign on 19/20 September 2023, with subsequent matchdays falling on 3/4 October, 24/25 October, 7/8 November, 28/29 November, and finally 12/13 December.
With kick-off times set for either 19:45 UK or 20:00 UK, fans will be eager to see if the north London side can re-establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with in European football.
It’s worth noting that Wenger’s last Champions League appearance with Arsenal ended with back-to-back 5-1 defeats to Bayern Munich in the 2016-17 season.
As they return to the European top table, the Gunners would no doubt like to distance themselves from such past disappointments.
Will this mark a new era of European success for Arsenal, or will it be a one-off appearance? Time, and the forthcoming fixtures, will tell.
Additional Information
The full fixture list and results of the draw will be available by 12:00 CET on 2 September.
For more updates, stay tuned.
Champions League draw in full
Group A
- Bayern Munich
- Manchester United
- FC Copenhagen
- Galatasaray
Group B
- Sevilla
- Arsenal
- PSV Eindhoven
- RC Lens
Group C
- Napoli
- Real Madrid
- SC Braga
- Union Berlin
Group D
- Benfica
- Inter Milan
- Red Bull Salzburg
- Real Sociedad
Group E
- Feyenoord
- Atletico Madrid
- Lazio
- Celtic
Group F
- PSG
- Borussia Dortmund
- AC Milan
- Newcastle United
Group G
- Man City
- RB Leipzig
- Red Star Belgrade
- Young Boys
Group H
- Barcelona
- FC Porto
- Shakhtar Donetsk
- Royal Antwerp