Arsenal have learned their Champions League opponents for the league phase of the 2024/25 competition, following Thursday’s draw.

The UEFA Champions League trophy during the draw for the UEFA Champions League 2023-2024 at The Grimaldi Forum in the Principality of Monaco. (Photo by NICOLAS TUCAT/AFP via Getty Images)
The UEFA Champions League trophy during the draw for the UEFA Champions League 2023-2024 at The Grimaldi Forum in the Principality of Monaco. (Photo by NICOLAS TUCAT/AFP via Getty Images)

The Gunners, placed in Pot 2, will face a challenging array of teams across Europe, including some familiar foes and new encounters.

Arsenal’s draw includes games against Paris Saint-Germain (home), Inter Milan (away), Shakhtar Donetsk (home), Atalanta (away), GNK Dinamo Zagreb (home), Sporting CP (away), AS Monaco (home), and Girona (away).

This will see Arsenal travel across Europe, from the heights of the San Siro to the historic stadiums of Lisbon and Paris, while also hosting several high-profile fixtures at the Emirates Stadium.

Each of these games brings a unique history or presents a fresh challenge for Arsenal, and the Gunners’ performances in these key fixtures will be critical as they aim to progress in the new league stage format of the Champions League.

So how have Arsenal done against these opponents before?

PSG (Home)

Alex Iwobi scores own goal in Arsenal v PSG
Arsenal’s Nigerian striker Alex Iwobi (2R) reacts after deflecting the ball from Paris Saint-Germain’s Brazilian midfielder Lucas Moura’s header for Paris’s second goal during the UEFA Champions League group A football match between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain at the Emirates Stadium in London on November 23, 2016. / AFP / IKIMAGES / Ian KINGTON

Arsenal have faced Paris Saint-Germain a few times in European competition, with their most notable encounters coming in the UEFA Champions League group stages.

The most recent home clash against PSG was in November 2016, when the two teams played out a 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal went ahead through an own goal by PSG’s Marco Verratti, but were pegged back twice, with Lucas Moura scoring the crucial equaliser for the visitors.

The result left both teams level on points in the group, with PSG topping the group on head-to-head results.

Arsenal record v PSG: P4 W1 D3 L0

Inter Milan (Away)

MILAN, ITALY: Arsenal's French striker Thierry Henry celebrates in front of photographers and Italian Carabinieri after scoring against Inter Milan during their Champions league group B match at Milan's San Siro stadium 25 November 2003. Arsenal won the match 5-1. AFP PHOTO PAOLO COCCO (Photo credit should read PAOLO COCCO/AFP via Getty Images)
MILAN, ITALY: Arsenal’s French striker Thierry Henry celebrates in front of photographers and Italian Carabinieri after scoring against Inter Milan during their Champions league group B match at Milan’s San Siro stadium 25 November 2003. Arsenal won the match 5-1. AFP PHOTO PAOLO COCCO

Arsenal’s trip to face Inter Milan at the San Siro provided some of the most memorable moments in the club’s European history.

The standout fixture between the sides was in November 2003, during the Champions League group stage, when Arsenal famously triumphed 5-1 against Inter.

Thierry Henry led the charge with a brace, while goals from Freddie Ljungberg, Edu, and Robert Pires sealed one of the club’s most iconic European victories.

This result was crucial in Arsenal’s progression to the knockout stages that season after losing the home leg 3-0.

Arsenal record v Inter Milan: P2 W1 D0 L1

Shakhtar Donetsk (Home)

Shakhtar Donetsk's Eduardo (L) and former Arsenal player hugs Arsenal's Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky (2nd L) at the final whistle during the UEFA Champions League Group H football match at The Emirates Stadium in London on October 19, 2010. Arsenal won the game 5-1. AFP (Photo ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Shakhtar Donetsk’s Eduardo (L) and former Arsenal player hugs Arsenal’s Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky (2nd L) at the final whistle during the UEFA Champions League Group H football match at The Emirates Stadium in London on October 19, 2010. Arsenal won the game 5-1. AFP (Photo ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Shakhtar Donetsk have visited the Emirates Stadium on a few occasions, with Arsenal generally enjoying success at home against the Ukrainian side.

One of the most notable encounters was in October 2010, when Arsenal secured a convincing 5-1 victory in the Champions League group stage.

Goals from Alex Song, Samir Nasri, Cesc Fàbregas, Jack Wilshere, and Marouane Chamakh ensured a comprehensive win for the Gunners, solidifying their position at the top of the group.

Eduardo scored the consolation for the visitors, earning a standing ovation from the home crowd on his return to the Emirates just a few months after being sold.

Arsenal record v Shakhtar Donetsk: P4 W2 D0 L2

Atalanta (Away)

BERGAMO, ITALY - NOVEMBER 30: Sead Kolasinac of Atalanta BC applauds the fans after the UEFA Europa League match between Atalanta BC and Sporting CP at Gewiss Stadium on November 30, 2023 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)
BERGAMO, ITALY – NOVEMBER 30: Sead Kolasinac of Atalanta BC applauds the fans after the UEFA Europa League match between Atalanta BC and Sporting CP at Gewiss Stadium on November 30, 2023 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)

Arsenal have yet to face Atalanta in a competitive fixture, meaning that this year’s Champions League encounter with the Bergamo-based club would be a first for both sides.

Atalanta have emerged as something of a force in Italian football in recent years, and a clash at the Gewiss Stadium would present a challenging and intriguing prospect for Arsenal against the current Europa League champions.

They will also face former Arsenal man in Sead Kolasinac.

GNK Dinamo (Home)

Shakhtar Donetsk's Eduardo (L) and former Arsenal player hugs Arsenal's Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky (2nd L) at the final whistle during the UEFA Champions League Group H football match at The Emirates Stadium in London on October 19, 2010. Arsenal won the game 5-1. AFP (Photo ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Shakhtar Donetsk’s Eduardo (L) and former Arsenal player hugs Arsenal’s Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky (2nd L) at the final whistle during the UEFA Champions League Group H football match at The Emirates Stadium in London on October 19, 2010. Arsenal won the game 5-1. AFP (Photo ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal’s history against GNK Dinamo Zagreb has seen Arsenal win most of them.

The Gunners faced the Croatian side in the Champions League group stage in November 2015, winning 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium.

Goals from Mesut Özil, Alexis Sánchez (who scored twice), secured a comfortable victory that mirrored the result from the first time the sides met in 2006.

However, Arsenal’s earlier away fixture in Zagreb ended in a 2-1 defeat, highlighting the threat Zagreb hold.

Arsenal record v GNK Dinamo: P4 W3 D0 L1

Sporting CP (Away)

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta (L) shakes hands with Arsenal's Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhaes during the UEFA Europa League last 16 first leg football match between Sporting CP and Arsenal at Jose Alvalade stadium in Lisbon on March 9, 2023. (Photo by FILIPE AMORIM/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Spanish manager Mikel Arteta (L) shakes hands with Arsenal’s Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhaes during the UEFA Europa League last 16 first leg football match between Sporting CP and Arsenal at Jose Alvalade stadium in Lisbon on March 9, 2023. (Photo by FILIPE AMORIM/AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal have a history of facing Sporting CP in European competitions, with the most recent meeting taking place in the UEFA Europa League in March 2023 that ended the Gunners’ European run on penalties.

Arsenal record v Sporting CP: P6 W2 D3 L1

AS Monaco (Home)

MONACO - MARCH 17: Danny Welbeck of Arsenal consoles team mate Santi Cazorla (19) as they eliminated after the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between AS Monaco and Arsenal at Stade Louis II on March 17, 2015 in Monaco, Monaco. Arsenal won the match 2-0, but lost on the away goals rule. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
MONACO – MARCH 17: Danny Welbeck of Arsenal consoles team mate Santi Cazorla (19) as they eliminated after the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between AS Monaco and Arsenal at Stade Louis II on March 17, 2015 in Monaco, Monaco. Arsenal won the match 2-0, but lost on the away goals rule. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

The clash with AS Monaco in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 in 2015 remains a painful memory for Arsenal fans.

Despite being favourites to progress, Arsenal suffered a 3-1 defeat at the Emirates in the first leg, with Geoffrey Kondogbia, Dimitar Berbatov, and Yannick Ferreira Carrasco scoring for the visitors.

Despite a valiant 2-0 win in the return leg in Monaco, Arsenal were knocked out on away goals, marking a disappointing exit from the competition.

Arsenal record v AS Monaco: P2 W1 D0 L1

Girona (Away)

Arsenal have yet to face Girona in a competitive fixture.

The Catalan club, known for their resilient style, has been an emerging force in Spanish football in recent years.

This will be an exciting first-time encounter, offering Arsenal a test against a club that has been steadily making its mark in La Liga.

Key dates for Arsenal’s 2024/25 Champions League fixtures

  • Matchday 1: 17–19 September 2024
  • Matchday 2: 1/2 October 2024
  • Matchday 3: 22/23 October 2024
  • Matchday 4: 5/6 November 2024
  • Matchday 5: 26/27 November 2024
  • Matchday 6: 10/11 December 2024
  • Matchday 7: 21/22 January 2025
  • Matchday 8: 29 January 2025

These fixtures will see Arsenal compete in eight matches across Europe, with four home and four away games.

The exact schedule and opponents for each date will be confirmed on Saturday, 31st August 2024.