Arsenal are preparing for a daunting start to their 2025/26 UEFA Champions League campaign, with Mikel Arteta’s side guaranteed to face two of Europe’s biggest clubs in the competition’s revamped league phase.
The draw, scheduled for Thursday, August 28, at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, will confirm the Gunners’ opponents. But under UEFA’s rules, Arsenal, seeded in Pot 2, are certain to meet two of the heavyweights from Pot 1: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Borussia Dortmund, or Inter Milan.
The new 36-team league format, introduced last season, replaces the traditional group stage. Each side plays eight matches, four home and four away against opponents drawn from four seeding pots. Arsenal, who cannot be paired with fellow English clubs Liverpool, Manchester City, or Chelsea, know they will be handed two marquee fixtures against Europe’s elite.
The Gunners enter this season’s competition on the back of a memorable run last year, where they reached the semi-finals for the first time in 16 years before being eliminated by eventual champions PSG. With new signings, including £64 million forward Viktor Gyokeres, Arteta’s squad is looking to go one step further, though the challenge of facing two Pot 1 giants looms large.
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Arsenal cannot be drawn against English teams, they will face two of PSG, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Borussia Dortmund, or Barcelona.
Real Madrid, record 15-time European champions, remain one of the toughest possible draws, particularly after Arsenal’s dramatic quarter-final triumph over them last season, when Declan Rice scored twice from free-kicks.
Arsenal are 𝐆𝐔𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐃 to face two of the following clubs in the league phase of the Champions League. Which pair do you want to face most?👇 pic.twitter.com/SxVFKp25wc
— AFTV (@AFTVMedia) August 27, 2025
Barcelona, now spearheaded by teenage star Lamine Yamal, and Bayern Munich, led by England captain Harry Kane, represent equally difficult tests. Defending champions PSG, who dismantled Inter Milan 5-0 in last year’s final, are another formidable prospect, while Dortmund and Inter boast recent pedigree on the continental stage.
Beyond Pot 1, Arsenal will also face two clubs each from Pots 2, 3, and 4. Potential Pot 2 opponents include Bayer Leverkusen, Atletico Madrid, Juventus, Atalanta, Villarreal, and Eintracht Frankfurt.
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Pot 3 features Napoli, Ajax, PSV Eindhoven, Sporting CP, Olympiacos, Marseille, and Slavia Prague, while Pot 4 includes the likes of Newcastle United, Galatasaray, Monaco, and Athletic Bilbao. The remaining slots will be filled after Wednesday’s playoff ties.
Arsenal’s performances in last season’s league phase offer encouragement. They finished third with 19 points, conceded only three goals in eight games, and secured famous wins against Real Madrid.
Supporters are already buzzing with anticipation for potential clashes, particularly the chance of a rematch against PSG or blockbuster ties against Real Madrid and Barcelona.
This season’s league phase begins on September 16 and runs until January 28, 2026. The top eight teams will progress directly to the round of 16, while those finishing between ninth and 24th will contest a two-legged playoff for the remaining spots.The road to the final at Budapest’s Puskás Aréna on May 30, 2026, promises to be one of Arsenal’s toughest yet.
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