Arsenal's Champions League opponents ranked from easiest to toughest

Last night, Arsenal learned who they would face in the Champions League. After finishing second last season, the Gunners were hopeful for an inviting draw. The draw they received was on the tougher end of their potential, but hey, Arsenal shouldn't fear anyone in this era.

This season, in the Champions League's opening phase, Arsenal will face the following teams.

Without doubt, there are certainly some interesting ties in there. An even split of home and away games means that Mikel Arteta's side are in for a journey in the league phase.

Here's how Arsenal's opponents weigh up when ranked on difficulty.

Sabah (HOME)

Fixture difficulty rating - ⭐ (1 star)

Arsenal hosting Sabah at the Emirates Stadium is an amazing opportunity for both teams. As Champions League debutants, Sabah have never faced Arsenal before.

The travelling side from Azerbaijan will no doubt bring their full voice, and having beaten Qarabag to the league title already, they will be hoping to rub further salt into the wounds by doing what Qarabag couldn't, getting a result against Arsenal.

On paper, it is Arsenal's most favourable match in the Champions League. However, in Europe's most elite competition, nothing is a given.

Lille (HOME)

Fixture difficulty rating - ⭐⭐ (2 stars)

Much like Sabah, Arsenal have never faced French opposition, Lille.

That said, the team that finished third in Ligue 1 last season have a secret weapon in their ranks, and it's a name Arsenal fans know well, Olivier Giroud.

We don't have much to go off this season, since the French top flight has only played one gameweek, but hey, Lille won their opening game.

They'll certainly bring a fight, but the home side are favourites, it's fair to say.

Slavia Praha (AWAY)

Fixture difficulty rating - ⭐⭐ (2 stars)

Londoners are no strangers to visiting the Czech capital, but in this context, we hope the players avoid the delicious beer and chimney cakes. Those are strictly reserved for the travelling fans (and locals, of course, who always bring great hospitality).

Arsenal beat the same opposition in Prague last season, and the travelling side will be hoping for a similarly dominant display.

Napoli (AWAY)

Fixture difficulty rating - ⭐⭐ (2 stars)

Arsenal last faced Napoli in 2019, and travelling to Italy is rarely easy. However, you have to favour Arsenal in this fixture.

Last time out, Napoli finished second in Serie A. They are managed by Massimiliano Allegri, the same guy who could have very easily taken over at Arsenal when Mikel Arteta did.

The two managers who were once in contention for the Gunners job will now meet on the pitch. Allegri will show no love to Arsenal, but still, you'd have to favour the travelling team in this tie.

Borussia Dortmund (HOME)

Fixture difficulty rating - ⭐⭐ (2 stars)

Dortmund are, obviously, a great team. Out of all the teams I have rated two stars on difficulty, they will bring the most threat.

However, the gap between the two teams has, frankly, never been larger. This is absolutely a game that Arsenal must look at as being the dominant team.

Dortmund beat Arsenal in pre-season, but, with all due respect, it was pre-season. End of sentence.

With no doubt that Dortmund will make it to the knockout stage, but they won't get a helping hand from Arsenal at the Emirates.

Real Betis (AWAY)

Fixture difficulty rating - ⭐⭐⭐ (3 stars)

Real Betis are the most underrated opposition Arsenal will face, so the Gunners can't run the risk of overlooking them. Thankfully, I don't think Mikel Arteta will do that.

Real Betis have started their domestic campaign strongly, winning their opening two games, and they showed in pre-season that they are a strong outfit. Again, though, it was pre-season. Swiftly moving on.

Players like Isco, Fran García, and Anthony, among many others, make up one of the best Real Betis sides we've seen in a long time.

It is bound to be a beautiful away trip for any travelling fans, and Arsenal are still favourites to win this game. This fixture will be on the more difficult side, though.

Real Madrid (HOME)

Fixture difficulty rating - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 stars)

Arsenal beat Real Madrid twice last season, but they are a much different outfit now. Saying that, so are Arsenal, who are playing with much greater confidence now that the hoodoo has finally been lifted.

Of all the Champions League opening phase games, this one is a standout. With the competition's most successful team in history travelling from their capital to the English capital, it's bound to serve up yet another classic.

Arsenal fans don't need reminding of their record against Real Madrid. They have never lost to Real Madrid, and they can (and should) continue that record this season.

José Mourinho is the headline here, returning to the Emirates Stadium completely unfazed (if anything, charged) by the boos.

Have Declan Rice on free kicks, and Arsenal will be sound as a pound.

Bayern Munich (AWAY)

Fixture difficulty rating - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 stars)

We meet again, old friend.

Arsenal and Bayern Munich go together like salt and pepper, like peanut butter and jelly, like pineapple on pizza.

The Gunners will travel to Germany to face a team spearheaded by Harry Kane, the best striker in the world. Not that any Arsenal fan needs reminding of Kane, of course.

Last season, Arsenal beat the Bavarian side rather comfortably in the Champions League. However, this one is different; it's in Bayern's backyard, a stadium Arsenal haven't won in since 2013.

But this Arsenal isn't the same as that Arsenal. This is arguably Arsenal's best-ever squad, and they fear nobody. This game is winnable, but the Gunners will need to bring their A-game, as they so often do nowadays.

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