Arsenal have been handed a challenging draw in the UEFA Champions League group phase, facing tough opponents Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan as they aim to secure the club's first top-tier European trophy. The draw ceremony, held in Monaco, unveiled the new format of the competition, with 36 teams now competing in a single league table.
Each team will play a total of eight games before the knockout stage, providing an extended opportunity for teams to showcase their skills. The final round of matches is scheduled for January 29, with the top eight teams advancing directly to the round of 16.
Teams finishing between ninth and 24th place will progress to a knockout play-off stage, while the bottom 12 teams will be eliminated from the competition. Arsenal's group stage fixtures include matches against Shakhtar Donetsk, Dinamo Zagreb, and Monaco at the Emirates Stadium, as well as away trips to Atalanta, Sporting Lisbon, and Girona.
Last season, Arsenal reached the quarterfinals of the Champions League before being knocked out by Bayern Munich. They secured a dramatic victory over Porto in the round of 16, with goalkeeper David Raya playing a crucial role in a penalty shootout.
The Gunners will be looking to build on their previous campaign's success with the addition of new signings Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino. Their quarterfinal appearance last season was their first since 2010, with their last semifinal appearance dating back to 2009.
