Arsenal to avoid Top Europe Club as Champions League group stage pots confirmed after Man City win.
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Arsenal Football Club will have to exercise patience for another couple of months as they eagerly await the revelation of their opponents in the upcoming 2023/24 Champions League group phase.
However, amidst the anticipation, the Gunners can already breathe a sigh of relief as they are aware of the teams they will not have to face.
Following Manchester City’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over Internazionale on Saturday night, the curtains officially closed on the 2022/23 campaign, relegating it to the annals of history.
The focus now sharply shifts to the forthcoming season, where the burning question remains whether Pep Guardiola’s formidable squad can successfully defend their crown or if the ambitious Serie A giants can seize the ultimate glory.
With both Manchester City and Internazionale securing their spots in UEFA’s prestigious tournament next season, the landscape of the Champions League group phase draw becomes clearer for illustrious clubs such as Arsenal, Manchester United, Barcelona, and the remaining 27 contenders. Their fates shall be unveiled come the conclusion of August.
As it stands, a total of 26 teams have already secured their places in the group phase, boasting formidable names such as Sevilla, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Real Sociedad, Napoli, Lazio, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, Union Berlin, Paris Saint-Germain, Lens, Benfica, Porto, Feyenoord, Shakhtar Donetsk, Red Bull Salzburg, Red Star Belgrade, and Celtic.
Joining the Gunners and the Manchester clubs, Newcastle United emerges as the final representative from the Premier League in the forthcoming Champions League season.
However, they shall soon be joined by an additional six teams as they venture into the group stage. These teams will be drawn against one another from the remaining eight pots.
Nonetheless, according to the regulations set forth by UEFA, clubs cannot be drawn against teams from the same association. Consequently, Arsenal, for instance, will not find themselves pitted against any of the aforementioned trio during the group stage.
In addition, owing to their confirmed place in Pot 2 for the 2023/24 Champions League group stage draw, the Gunners will also avoid formidable opponents such as 14-time champions Real Madrid, Internazionale, Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid, RB Leipzig, and Porto.
Nevertheless, there remains a glimmer of hope for Arsenal, as they could potentially find themselves drawn against opponents from Pot 1.
The teams in contention include Sevilla, Barcelona, Napoli, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica, and Feyenoord, with the latter having secured their place in Pot 1 as a consequence of Manchester City’s victory over Internazionale.
Moving on, Arsenal could potentially be matched up against one of the following teams from Pot 3: Shakhtar Donetsk, Red Bull Salzburg, AC Milan, Lazio, or Red Star Belgrade.
As of now, Union Berlin and Lens stand as the sole confirmed clubs in Pot 4. The identities of the remaining six teams in this pot will only be unveiled in August, heightening the intrigue surrounding the upcoming draw.
Arsenal awaits with bated breath as they eagerly anticipate the unveiling of their opponents for the 2023/24 Champions League group phase. While they can rest assured knowing which teams they will avoid, the prospect of facing renowned adversaries from Pot 1 and Pot 3 looms large. As the footballing world collectively holds its breath, only time will tell which path lies ahead for the Gunners in their quest for European glory.