Arsenal qualified for the UWCL group stages after overcoming Rangers (6-0), Rosenborg (1-0) and Hacken (4-1 on aggregate) in their preliminary rounds. The group stage still has four groups of four teams, the top two from each group qualifies for the quarter-final.
Next season, the UWCL will move to the Swiss model with an 18-team league, six games but against six different opponents, three home and three away. But for now, we have the more traditional group stage format.
Arsenal were in Pot 2 and were drawn into Group C. From Pot 1 they drew Bayern Munich, who they beat in the 2022-23 quarter-final 2-1 on aggregate and from Pot 3 they drew Juventus, who they played in the 2022-23 group stage (drawing 1-1 away and winning 1-0 at home). From Pot 4 they drew Norwegian side Valerenga.
The fixtures will be confirmed shortly but the dates are as below. All three of Arsenal’s home games will take place at the Emirates.
Matchday 1: 8/9 October
Matchday 2: 16/17 October
Matchday 3: 12/13 November
Matchday 4: 20/21 November
Matchday 5: 11/12 December
Matchday 6: 17/18 December
I can’t wait for the expansion of this comp.
Hmmm a bigger competition yes maybe, but the Swiss League system leaves me cold (and confused)
I don’t know the Swiss league system at all, so can’t comment.
But what I meant is that I am fed up of playing the same blimmin’ teams every year. The principles that prescribe who you can be drawn with make sense but a bigger competition will result in a greater variety of potential opponents.
Good draw
Bayer and Juve sound tough opponents but they probably think the same of us. COYG!!!
Juve are strong! Knocked out PSG, beating ’em home and away. But these big games are one area where Eidevall has shone in his short time here. As long as these teams are not sitting back, I fancy our chances a lot
Going to be fun watching these games
I’m glad we avoided Barcelona, but Bayern have Eriksson, Gwinn, Stanway, Buhl, Harder and last but far from least, Oberdorf. Still very beatable though.
Oberdorf is out with an ACL, agree they’re a quality side still though. In some respects, I’d almost rather have drawn Lyon while Joe is still settling in than face a well drilled Bayern.
Bayern the weakest of pot 1 but Juve strongest of pot 2. A good draw all in all, we’re well capable of winning the group and should all be really exciting games. COYG
Juve strongest of pot 3 you mean. Juventus had impressive results against PSG so could be a spicy battle to qualify out of the group stages.
Tough draw. Juve felt like the real danger side in Pot 3 given how they despatched PSG in qualifying. I think we can get through though.
I agree, challenging draw but for those who can get to the Emirates there should be some cracking matches! McCabe Vs Stanway should be a belter!
Agree whichever group got Juventus from pot 3 was going to be the closest to a “group of death”
Sorry for being thick, but next year does that mean we play 3 teams at home, and 3 *different* teams away? If so, exciting and perilous😁
Looks like the group of death on paper but avoinding the trio of Barcelona, Wolfsburg and Lyon makes it easier to navigate.
Bayer is a well-structured and strong team, Juventus is a good team too and is in a good moment, but PSG lost its main players and a coach and is still establishing itself in the team, but when it comes to CL they all become super teams, I can hardly wait for the games to start. This group seemed like deja vu to me.