The Champions League league-phase draw has handed Arsenal and Manchester City some of the toughest possible assignments, with both English clubs set to face Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona respectively.
Arsenal will also meet Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, while Aston Villa have been drawn against PSG and Barcelona in what promises to be a demanding European campaign.
Arsenal will host Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund at the Emirates Stadium, while traveling to Bayern Munich and Real Betis.
Mikel Arteta’s side will also face Lille and Sabah at home, with away trips to Napoli and Slavia Prague completing their schedule.
The Gunners enjoyed a perfect record in last season’s league phase but face a significantly tougher test this time.
Manchester City, meanwhile, will welcome PSG and Sporting Club before hosting Napoli and AEK Athens. Pep Guardiola’s side will travel to Barcelona, Porto, RB Leipzig and Lens.
The meeting with Barcelona will also provide a reunion with former City midfielder Rodri, who now plays for the Spanish giants.
Aston Villa have also been handed a difficult route, with PSG and Borussia Dortmund visiting Villa Park while Unai Emery’s side travel to Barcelona. Villa will additionally face Club Brugge, Fenerbahce, Galatasaray, Viking and Slavia Prague.
Liverpool have arguably received a more favorable schedule, although they will still face Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan alongside Porto, Club Brugge, Villarreal, Fenerbahce, Lens and LASK.
Manchester United’s campaign will feature a heavyweight home meeting with Bayern Munich, as well as away trips to Atletico Madrid, Sporting Club and Villarreal.
United will also face Roma, RB Leipzig, Sabah and Como, with the clash against Bayern evoking memories of the dramatic 1999 final and several other historic meetings between the clubs.
The league phase begins between 8 and 10 September, followed by matchdays in October, November, December and January, with the final round scheduled for 27 January.
The new format means each team will play eight different opponents, and the Premier League’s five representatives will now begin preparations for a demanding European schedule featuring several high-profile encounters.
