ARSENAL will return to the Champions League next season for the first time since the 2016-17 season.
The Gunners have botched their title bid in recent weeks, but fans can still look forward to a return to Europe’s top table next term.
It could be a tough reintroduction for Mikel Arteta and Co, however, with a potential group of death in the pipeline.
Due to their lack of European success in recent years, Arsenal are likely to be in Pot 3 when the group stage draw is made in August.
This could leave the Gunners facing an uphill battle to reach the knockout phase.
Pot 1 will be littered with quality, populated by the winners of Europe’s top seven leagues, as well as the Europa League victors.
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This could leave Arsenal facing a dreaded rematch with Bayern Munich… who humiliated them during their last Champions League campaign.
The German giants famously beat Arsenal 10-2 on aggregate in 2017, obliterating Arsene Wenger’s men and drawing ridicule from rival fans.
Alternatively, the Gunners could draw the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona or Napoli from Pot 1.
They can’t draw Manchester City, however, as sides from the same country are kept separate.
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From Pot 2, meanwhile, Arsenal could draw lurking perennial European champions Real Madrid, with Carlo Ancelotti’s side having been beaten to the LaLiga title by Barcelona.
Meanwhile, in addition to the Gunners, Pot 3 is likely to be populated by teams like Shakhtar Donetsk, RB Salzburg and Lazio.
Should they get through two rounds of qualifying, Marseille could be drawn from Pot 4 to play the Gunners.
The French side are brimming with former Gooners – with Alexis Sanchez, Matteo Guendouzi and Sead Kolasinac.
While Nuno Tavares has spent this season on loan at Marseille from the North Londoners.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
