Lescott's immediate response to Arsenal Champions League group draw says it all
Joleon Lescott is confident Arsenal will top their Champions League group having claimed there are "not many challenges there".
The Gunners are back at Europe's top table for the first time in six years following a renaissance under Mikel Arteta last term and have been handed a favourable draw with Sevilla, PSV Eindhoven and Lens joining them in Group B, which the Gunners will be favourites to top.
They were among the teams in Pot 2 but their Pot 1 opponent is Sevilla, who qualified by virtue of winning the Europa League. Arsenal have invested big in the likes of Kai Havertz and Declan Rice and Lescott expects the team from north London to ease through their group.
He said on TNT Sports : “I think they’ll be confident of topping that group and going through. I’m confident in Arsenal winning that group to be honest…there’s not many challenges there. Again, variation in challenges, styles and atmospheres, but the way Arsenal have been playing I’d expect them to win that.”
Arsenal topped their group the last time they were in the Champions League back in 2016/17, before being dumped out in humiliating fashion by Bayern Munich. Their impressive year last time out has put them among the favourites to go deep in the this season's tournament.
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The Gunners have been unable to get over their line during their recent time in the Europa League, making the semi-finals in 2018 before losing in the final the following year. Their best effort in the Champions League remains their final appearance in 2006, losing to Barcelona in Paris.
Mikel Arteta and co will be expected to make the knockout stages (The FA via Getty Images)Arteta said earlier this summer that the club's recruitment drive was done knowing they had to compete on several fronts this season. "It will be more difficult for sure, because the league is going to go to a different level again, which is already incredible and obviously playing the Champions League, which we haven't played in many years at the club," he said back in July.
"That's why we need a different squad from what we had last year, I think what we've done this summer is related to that, and more quality as well, for sure."
Speaking after the draw, Sporting Director Edu said: "Very traditional teams. Strong ones. You cannot choose the teams you’re going to play. All of them are hard. We’re happy to be in the competition which is the most important.
"When we’re talking about Arsenal we have to play well in all competitions. It will be important to do our best and perform in the best way possible.
"I think the fans and the club really deserve (to be in the Champions League). We worked so hard to come back. It’s a big bonus from last season, the way we behaved as a club and the way everyone worked was to be back in the Champions League."
Arsenal and Manchester City are among the English sides to be handed more favourable draws with the holders facing the likes of RB Leipzig and Royal Antwerp. Manchester United will take on Harry Kane and Bayern Munich whilst Newcastle are in the Group of Death alongside PSG, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan.
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