Heading into the 2021-2022 season, Arsenal fans are eagerly anticipating their return to the Champions League after a six-year absence. However, their excitement may be tempered by the possibility of being drawn into a difficult group, also known as the ‘Group of Death.’
As a result of their UEFA club coefficient ranking, Arsenal has been placed in Pot 2 for the Champions League group stages. While this is a promotion from Pot 3, it also means that they could potentially be drawn into a group with some of the toughest opponents in Europe.
Pot 1 features Europa League winners Sevilla, LaLiga champions Barcelona, Serie A victors Napoli, French giants Paris Saint-Germain, and Portugal and the Netherlands’ respective league winners Benfica and Feyenoord. Any of these teams could pose a significant challenge for Arsenal.
In addition to these teams, Arsenal could also face Bayern Munich, who famously thrashed them 10-2 on aggregate in the 2017 Round of 16. While Real Madrid, another formidable opponent, cannot be drawn with Arsenal as they are both in Pot 2, AC Milan can, along with Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk and RB Salzburg.
The remaining teams in Pot 4 are yet to be determined, but Union Berlin and Lens have secured their spots thanks to their top-four finishes in Germany and France. Celtic, Real Sociedad, and Newcastle are also set to feature in the group stages but are yet to find out if they will be in Pot 3 or 4.
With such tough opponents potentially in their group, Arsenal will have to be at their very best to progress to the knockout stages. However, Mikel Arteta and his team will relish the challenge and look forward to testing themselves against Europe’s elite.
In conclusion, while Arsenal fans may be excited about their return to the Champions League, they should also be prepared for a potentially challenging group stage. With teams like Bayern Munich, Barcelona, and AC Milan in the mix, the Gunners will have to be at their very best to progress. Nonetheless, Arsenal has a proud history in the competition, having reached the final in 2006 and the semi-finals on multiple occasions. With Arteta at the helm, they will be confident of making their mark once again on the European stage.