Arsenal and Manchester United both face stern tests in the Europa League group stages, which will take place across a whirlwind two months before the World Cup.
Joining Arsenal in Group A are PSV, the Dutch side managed by Ruud van Nistelrooy who missed out on the Champions League when losing to Rangers, as well as Bodo/Glimt and FC Zurich.
United are in Group E, and they will face Real Sociedad, whom they beat 4-0 on aggregate in the round-of-32 stage of the Europa League back in 2020-21.
FC Sheriff, the Transnistria-based side who famously beat Real Madrid in the Champions League last season, are also in United’s group along with Cypriot side Omonia.
Arsenal enter the tournament as favourites and will look to balance their top-four ambitions with the pursuit of a first European trophy since winning the Uefa Cup Winners’ Cup in 1994.
Meanwhile, Manchester United won this competition under Jose Mourinho in 2017, their most recent trophy to date, and though Erik ten Hag will have similar ambitions to Mikel Arteta in wanting to secure Champions League football via the Premier League, the Europa League does at least offer the victor a place in next season’s premier European tournament.
A run to the final would add a minimum of 15 matches to the campaign, and in this season like no other due to the World Cup, the group stage will be wrapped up by 3 November with just three Thursdays off in September and October.
Key dates
- Matchday 1: 8 September
- Matchday 2: 15 September
- Matchday 3: 6 October
- Matchday 4: 13 October
- Matchday 5: 27 October
- Matchday 6: 3 November
Individual match dates are TBC
Group stage draw in full
Group A
- Arsenal
- PSV
- FK Bodo/Glimt
- Zurich
Group B
- Dynamo Kyiv
- Rennes
- Fenerbahce
- AEK Larnaca
Group C
- AS Roma
- Ludogorets
- Real Betis
- HJK Helsinki
Group D
- SC Braga
- Malmo
- Union Berlin
- Union Saint-Gilloise
Group E
- Manchester United
- Real Sociedad
- FC Sheriff
- Omonia
Group F
- Lazio
- Feyenoord
- Midtjylland
- Sturm Graz
Group G
- Olympiacos
- Qarabag
- SC Freiburg
- Nantes
Group H
- Red Star Belgrade
- Monaco
- Ferencvaros
- Trabzonspor
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