Arsenal have been handed one of the most exciting Champions League schedules after being drawn against European giants Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in the league phase of the competition.
The Gunners will welcome Real Madrid to the Emirates Stadium in one of the biggest fixtures of the opening stage. The Spanish giants remain one of the most successful clubs in European football, making the meeting a major test for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Arsenal will also travel to Germany to face Bayern Munich. The match at the Allianz Arena promises to be another difficult challenge, especially with Bayern’s experience of competing at the highest level of European football.
The draw also gives Arsenal several other opponents, including Borussia Dortmund, Real Betis, Lille, Napoli, Sabah and Slavia Prague. While Real Madrid and Bayern immediately stand out, Arsenal will need to approach every fixture seriously because the new Champions League format places greater importance on collecting points across the entire league phase.
Arsenal will be particularly determined to make a strong European campaign after coming agonisingly close to winning the competition last season. Their run to the final demonstrated that Arteta’s team can compete with Europe’s elite, but the next challenge is turning that progress into a trophy.
The meeting with Real Madrid will attract enormous attention, while the trip to Bayern will provide another opportunity for Arsenal to measure themselves against one of Europe’s traditional powerhouses.
For Arsenal supporters, the draw has created a mixture of excitement and concern. The fixtures against Real Madrid and Bayern are undoubtedly difficult, but they also provide the club with an opportunity to make a major statement.
With the Champions League league phase beginning in September, Arsenal now know exactly what awaits them as they begin another attempt to reach the summit of European football.
