Arsenal cannot be drawn away to Inter Milan in Thursday’s Champions League league-phase draw after UEFA introduced a new restriction for the 2026/27 competition.
Mikel Arteta’s side have travelled to the San Siro to face Inter in each of the previous two Champions League campaigns.
A third consecutive away meeting has now been ruled out, meaning any Arsenal v Inter fixture produced by Thursday’s draw must take place at the Emirates Stadium.
Due to a new UEFA rule, Arsenal won’t be able to be drawn away to Inter Milan in the Champions League group stage tomorrow.
No individual fixture played twice in the past two seasons can be repeated with the same home team.
Arsenal lost 1-0 at Inter in 2024-25 & won 3-1 at San… pic.twitter.com/53SS10j4EZ
— now.arsenal (@now_arsenaI) August 26, 2026
UEFA rule changes Arsenal’s Champions League possibilities
The new condition prevents an individual Champions League league-phase fixture from being repeated with the same home team for three consecutive seasons.
Arsenal lost 1-0 away to Inter in November 2024 before returning to the San Siro last season and winning 3-1.
Arsenal’s own ticketing records confirm both recent Champions League trips to Inter, while UEFA’s 2026/27 competition regulations allow additional conditions to be applied to the league-phase draw.
The consequence for Arsenal is straightforward.
If Inter are selected as one of their two Pot 1 opponents, the Italian side must visit north London rather than hosting the Premier League champions for a third successive season.
That also narrows Arsenal’s possible away opponents from Pot 1.
Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid remain possible trips. Arsenal cannot face Manchester City or Liverpool during the league phase because teams from the same domestic association are kept apart.
ReadArsenal’s full Champions League draw guide explains the pots, possible opponents and how Thursday’s draw will work.
Arsenal will face two teams from each of the four pots, playing one at home and one away from each.
The draw takes place at 5pm BST on Thursday, when Arteta’s side will discover all eight opponents in their latest attempt to win the Champions League after reaching last season’s final.
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