Arsenal’s 2022/23 Europa League group stage opponents – revealed

Arsenal have been drawn against PSV Eindhoven, FK Bodø/Glimt and FC Zurich in the group stage of the 2022/23 UEFA Europa League.

Arsenal are returning to the competition following a brief exodus and they’ve been tipped by many to go all the way. The Gunners were beaten finalists in 2019 before they reached the semi-finals two seasons later.

A poor domestic campaign in 2020/21 meant they didn’t qualify for Europe at all last season, but their continental absence allowed them to improve in the Premier League. Mikel Arteta’s side came ever so close to qualifying for this season’s Champions League but they were pipped to the post by arch-rivals Spurs following a late-season collapse.

And here we are.

The Gunners were the first name out of the hat on Friday’s draw which put them into Group A. They were joined by Ruud van Nistelrooy’s PSV Eindhoven from Pot 2 after they were beaten by Rangers in their final Champions League qualifier on Wednesday night.

Norweigian outfit FK Bodø/Glimt, who memorably thrashed Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma 6-1 in last season’s UEFA Conference League, were added to Group A from Pot 3, while Swiss side FC Zurich rounded off the group.

While PSV represents a pretty stern test, there’s no doubting that Arteta will be content with the draw. Crucially, there are no ridiculously long away trips that could cripple the club’s Premier League charge.

Our group stage fixtures should be released within the next 24 hours.

Here’s the complete draw:

Group A

Arsenal

PSV Eindhoven

FK Bodø/Glimt

FC Zurich

Group B

Dynamo Kyiv

Rennes

Fenerbahce

AEK Larnaca

Group C

AS Roma

Ludogorets Razgrad

Real Betis

HJK Helsinki

Group D

SC Braga

Malmo

Union Berlin

Union Saint-Gilloise

Group E

Manchester United

Real Sociedad

Sheriff Tiraspol

Omonia

Group F

SS Lazio

Feyenoord

FC Midtjylland

Sturm Graz

Group G

Olympiacos

Qarabag

SC Freiburg

FC Nantes

Group H

Red Star Belgrade

AS Monaco

Ferencvaros

Trabzonspor