Man Utd and Arsenal learn Champions League draw pots ahead of return next season
Manchester United and Arsenal have learned who they could end up facing upon their return to the Champions League next season.
Both Premier League giants were absent from UEFA's first-rate competition this term but will each make a comeback when the group stage begins in September. United have only been out of the Champions League for one season, although it's been six years since rivals Arsenal last appeared.
The Gunners have failed to qualify ever since Arsene Wenger's penultimate campaign as manager, the 2015-16 season. The following year, they were smashed 10-2 on aggregate by German giants Bayern Munich in the round of 16, but now boss Mikel Arteta is looking to banish those memories.
Arteta and co, as well as Erik ten Hag's United, can begin to plan their route to Wembley - where the 2024 final will be held - once the group stage draw takes place in August. The two sides will be relieved to hear that they won't face finalists Inter Milan or tournament kings Real Madrid, as both are in Pot 2 alongside Arsenal and the Red Devils.
That's as well as Bundesliga runners-up Borussia Dortmund, LaLiga heavyweights Atletico Madrid, German side RB Leipzig and 2004 Champions League winners Porto. All of those clubs will fancy their chances of qualifying for the knockouts but they'll still hope to avoid some of the supposed stronger teams which are in Pot 1.
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After winning the competition for the first time in their history on Saturday, Manchester City are among the top seeds alongside Europa League winners Sevilla. They're joined by Bayern, Barcelona, Napoli, Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica and Feyenoord.
Have your say! How far will Manchester United and Arsenal go? Let us know your prediction in the comments section.
Manchester United only had one year out of the competition (Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
Arsenal last played Champions League football in 2017 (David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)In Pot 3, which will only be fully completed once the qualifying phase is concluded on Wednesday, August 30, there'll be Shakhtar Donetsk, Red Bull Salzburg, AC Milan, Lazio and Red Star Belgrade. Finally, Pot 4 includes Celtic, Union Berlin, Lens and - after a 20-year absence - Newcastle.
Qualifying is scheduled to begin this month, with the preliminary round taking place on Tuesday, June 27. After four further rounds, the group stage draw is to be held on Thursday, August 31 ahead of the proper tournament getting underway on Tuesday, September 19.
The final will take place at Wembley on Saturday, June 1.
Pots for the Champions League group stage so far
Pot 1
- Manchester City
- Sevilla
- Barcelona
- Napoli
- Bayern Munich
- Paris Saint-Germain
- Benfica
- Feyenoord
Pot 2
- Real Madrid
- Manchester United
- Inter Milan
- Borussia Dortmund
- Atletico Madrid
- RB Leipzig
- Porto
- Arsenal
Pot 3
- Shakhtar Donetsk
- Red Bull Salzburg
- AC Milan
- Lazio
- Red Star Belgrade
Pot 4
- Celtic
- Newcastle
- Union Berlin
- Lens
* Real Sociedad have also qualified and will be placed in either Pot 3 or 4, depending on which teams make it through qualifying
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