Arsenal have already benefited from one change to the Europa League format this season and another effectively rules out the prospect of a nightmare scenario repeating itself.
Due to a lowly eighth-placed Premier League finish in the 2020/21 campaign, the Gunners were not involved in any European competition last term. As a result, they were not affected by UEFA's announcement with regard to the major changes for the Europa League's 51st season which were as follows:
"The group stage has been reduced from 48 to 32 teams – eight groups of four. The eight group winners progress automatically to the round of 16. There will be additional knockout round play-offs prior to the round of 16; these will be between the eight UEFA Europa League group runners-up and the eight third-ranked teams from the UEFA Champions League groups."
