After seven long years, Arsenal have finally reached the pinnacle of European club football again as the UEFA Champions League returns to N5 for the first time since The Gunners were humiliatingly knocked out 10-2 on aggregate versus Bayern Munich in the 2016/2017 campaign. That season ended with Arsene Wenger’s side only managing a 5th placed finish in the Premier League, confirming their place outside of the top four for the first time in twenty years.
Following on from that win over Everton at Emirates Stadium in the final game of the 16/17 season, few would have predicted that it would take until 2023 for Arsenal to return to the top four and qualify for the Champions League again. However, that’s what it took. Mikel Arteta guided his young side to 2nd place in the 2023/24 campaign, making Champions League football with ease.
But now their finally back, where on the continent will The Gunners travel for their group stage matches? And just how far can Arteta get this side in the competition?
PSV EINDHOVEN:
Country: Netherlands
Manager: Peter Bosz
Key Player: Luuk De Jong (Striker)
For the second season in a row, Arsenal meet Dutch giants PSV in the group stages of a European competition, as The Gunners opening tie sees them host the men from Holland in North London. However, both sides have upgraded from Europa league football to Champions League for the 23/24 campaign. The club from the city of Eindhoven finished 2nd in the Eredivisie last season and qualified for the Champions League group stages after defeating Glasgow Rangers 5-1 at home following a first leg draw at Ibrox.
PSV have a new man at the helm as Arsenal’s old enemy Ruud Van Nistelrooy resigned as manager at the end of the previous season despite a fairly successful campaign where a 2nd placed finish in the league was achieved alongside lifting the KNVB Cup. Peter Bosz was appointed to succeed the Ex-Manchester United striker and the former Lyon and Borussia Dortmund coach has started well in Eindhoven as his side currently top the Eredivisie table following 4 wins from 4.
Despite their early success, Bosz will be hurt by the loss of Ibrahim Sangaré to Nottingham Forest in the summer transfer window. The Ivorian midfielder having been a standout player in Eindhoven following his stay in The Netherlands and impressed against Arsenal in the Europa League when they beat Arsenal 2-0 at Phillips Stadion. Despite that, talent is still clear throughout the squad and the main man to look out for is undoubtedly striker and captain Luuk De Jong. The 33 year old striker is heavily experienced and standing at 6″2, will be a physical problem for the Arsenal backline when PSV come to London and when Arsenal travel to The Netherlands.
SEVILLA FC:
Country: Spain
Manger: Jose Luis Mendilibar
Key Player: Marcos Acuna (Defender)
European travels to Spain have previously been hit and miss in the past for Arsenal. The highs of wins over Real Madrid and Valencia mixed in with defeats at the hands of Barcelona at the Nou Camp. And Mikel Arteta will be hoping a trip back to his home country will be a happy one when he takes his team to the south of Spain to play Sevilla.
The side from the Ramon Sanchez Stadium in Seville have been Europa League specialists over recent years and find themselves in the group stages of the Champions League after once again winning the Europa League in the 2022/23 campaign. Beating Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma on penalties.
Despite their European success last season, Los Nervionenses struggled in Laliga, only managing a midtable 12th placed finish. Hose Luis Mendilibar now finds himself in the Ramon Sanchez hot seat, however once again Sevilla are struggling. Financial issues mean the club was forced to put almost their entire squad up for sale and currently find themselves just outside the LaLiga relegation zone with one win from their first four games.
Even through Sevilla are struggling, they still possess a talented squad. Veteran defender Sergio Ramos recently returned to Seville following his brief stay in Paris with PSG, and the captain is ex-Manchester City man Jesus Navas. However, the key man for me is Left back Marcos Acuna. The 31 year-old Argentinian World Cup winner has been a key player down the left side during his three year spell in Seville and can pose a threat going forward.
RC LENS:
Country: France
Manager: Franck Haise
Key Player: Kevin Danso (Defender)
Racing Club De Lens from Northern France is a club which has experienced a rapid rise over recent years. The club is traditionally a huge club in France however found themselves in the second tier in 2019. However, after gaining promotion to Ligue 1 in the 2019/20 season after a second placed finish, Les sang et (the blood and gold) have gone from strength to strength in the top division of French Football. Spearheaded by head coach Franch Haise, and players such as Kevin Danso and star Ivorian midfielder Seko Fofana, the club managed to finish just one point behind league winners PSG in the 2022/23 season. Finishing second and qualifying for the Champions League for the first time since 2003.
However, the start to the new season has brought struggles to Lens. Seko Fofana – who was instrumental in their rise to the Champions League – left the club in the summer to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr. And the midfielder’s absence has been felt, with Lens currently sitting bottom of the league after just one point from their opening five league games. Franch Haise has been a coach who has brought so much good to Northern France in recent years, however this poor start will mean the 52 year-old will be under pressure ahead of the start to the Champions League.
Despite Fofana’s departure, the RC Lens squad still has some real talents to look out for. Former Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Brice Samba was awarded Ligue 1 goalkeeper of the year in 2022/23 and Austrian defender Kevin Danso remains a key player at the heart of the Lens backline. Arsenal will need their forwards to be on top of their game if they are going to find a way past a strong Lens defence.
So, what should we expect from Arsenal on their return to the Champions League. Well, there’s no doubt that despite their opponents possessing strong talents, the group stage is one which Arsenal should pass through with relative ease, although of course you cannot underestimate any opponents in this competition.
It’s unclear just how far Arsenal can go in the Champions League, however Mikel Arteta must surely be targeting a place in at least the Quarter finals and perhaps even beyond as the final returns to London and Wembley Stadium for 2023/24.