PREMIER LEAGUE sides Arsenal and Manchester United could be set to face some tough sides in the Europa League draw this afternoon.
The two giants will soon embark on a gruelling Thursday-Sunday schedule as they look to fight their way through Europe’s secondary competition.
Mikel Arteta and Erik ten Hag’s teams missed out on being in yesterday’s Champions League draw after failing to get into the top 4 last season.
But they will be hoping to make progress in this season’s Europa League which will feature big European names such as PSV, Lazio, Monaco, Roma and Olympiakos.
32 clubs will be divided into eight groups, with the top two in each group going through to the knock-out stages.
Arsenal and United are both in pot 1, meaning they will avoid facing the toughest sides.
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But a draw simulation conducted by SunSport showed just how tricky the competition could still be, with Arteta’s side paired with Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven.
The Eridivisie club are among the biggest in the competition and could give the Gunners issues if they were to face off over two games.
Elsewhere in the group, the simulation also drew Arsenal against Cypriot side Omonia Nicosia, currently being led by ex-Celtic boss Neil Lennon.
And they were also simulated to face FK Bodø/Glimt from Norway.
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Manchester United could also find themselves facing some difficult European trips if the simulation is close to the truth.
The hypothetical draw sees them face Fenerbahce with the Turkish side known to be tricky European customers.
United would also play Austrian side Sturm Graz and Qarabag FK, who have previously played Spurs, Chelsea and Arsenal in Europe.
The Europa League group stage kicks off on Thursday September 8 with Arsenal and United looking to go all the way.
Arsenal came close in 2019 before losing in the final to rivals Chelsea, while United lifted the trophy in 2017 under Jose Mourinho.
The pair have had contrasting starts to the season with impressive Arsenal top of the table with three wins from three.
The Red Devils had an appalling start before stunning Liverpool at Old Trafford and getting their first win of the season.
SunSport’s simulated Europa League draw
Group A
Omonia Nicosia
Bodø/Glimt
Arsenal
PSV Eindhoven
Group B
Dinamo Kiev
Freiburg
Royale Union SG
Ludogorets
Group C
Feyenoord
Roma
Union Berlin
AEK Larnaca
Group D
Lazio
Ferencvaros
Real Sociedad
Zürich
Group E
Qarabag FK
Manchester United
Fenerbahçe
Sturm Graz
Group F
Midtjylland
Malmö FF
Nantes
Sporting Braga
Group G
Olympiakos
Monaco
Trabzonspor
Sheriff Tiraspol
Group H
HJK Helsinki
Real Betis
Stade Rennais
Red Star Belgrade
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
