Champions League third-placed teams who now drop into the Europa League are:
Seeded – Napoli, Valencia, Inter Milan and Benfica.
Unseeded – Plzen, Club Brugge, Shakhtar Donetsk and Galatasaray.
The draw for the Europa League round of 32 will be made on December 17th with. The first leg of the knockout ties will be played on February 14th with the return leg a week later. No doubt the newly joined seeded clubs together with Chelsea will be amongst the favourites to win the competition in May.
Having already secured top spot in our group, we can’t face a seeded club in the next round. On paper that’s great for us but even so, no fixture will be easy. A trip to Istanbul to face Galatasaray wouldn’t be one to relish although revenge for 2000 in the final would be nice.
Avoiding Ukraine’s Shakhtar Donetsk would be favourable too so basically, either of Plzen or Club Brugge would be ideal if we are to be paired against a club which has dropped out of the Champions League.
Whilst our group placements are all done and dusted, it’s not as clear cut in the other eleven.
Group A – Ludogorets and Zürich are through but who finishes first or second is yet to be decided.
Group B – Celtic and Leipzig are both in with a chance to finish second.
Group C – Any of Bordeaux, Slavia Praha or København can progress by securing second place.
Group D – Dinamo Zagreb top the group with Fenerbahce being a potential opposition for us having secured runners up.
Group F – Real Betis are through but top spot in not yet confirmed. Milan will join them unless they lose by two clear goals against Olympiacos later today. So any one of those three could yet be drawn against us.
Group G – All four of Villarreal, Spartak Moskva, Rapid Wien and Rangers could still go through. Tense night for them then.
Group H – Sorted. Eintracht Frankfurt top the table with Lazio second so a trip to Italy is a possibility for Arsenal.
Group I – Again, and one of Genk, v Sarpsborg, Beşiktaş or Malmö can progress depending on tonight’s results.
Grop J – it’s all to play for in this group still with Sevilla, Krasnodar and Standard Liège but it’s looking highly likely that the latter will miss out.
Group K – Dynamo Kyiv are through as winners with both Rennes and Astana face off tonight for the runners up spot which will go to Astana if they avoid defeat.
Group L – Chelsea have won the group so like us can afford to rest players later. If BATE Borisov avoid defeat in their match, they are a potential next round opposition for us. Both Vidi and PAOK still have a chance to go through if other results go their way. Too complicated for me to explain that one. Or I’m simply bored of working it out.
Its fair to say there’s a right old mix of clubs we could face in February and should we progress, from then on it gets tough and then tougher. Chelsea must still be favourites but with Inter, Napoli, Valencia and Benfica joining the party, anything could happen.
Having gone through all the permutations though, what became clear was that the Europa League really needs looking at and changing. Firstly, I don’t think Champions League clubs should get two bites at European football. It’s the only competition in the game where if you fail to secure one of the top two places in a group you then get a chance to win a different competition within the same season. Put an end that silly rule I say and keep the two competitions separate and make it fairer. I’m not just suggesting that because we’re in it as I’ve always thought it was a stupid rule especially when the Europa League is so often seen as a second rate competition by the media, managers etc.
Is it really fair on ‘smaller’ European clubs who fight so hard to get through the group stage to then be drawn against a team like Napoli or Inter Milan etc etc? I don’t think so. One could argue that if clubs who come third in their group drop into the Europa League, why don’t clubs who top their Europa group go into the Champions League at the knockout stage?
Surely there are enough clubs involved in Europa League at the beginning of the competition so why add more after the group stage? If they need to prolong the contest then have third place playoffs, or play the knockout fixtures two weeks apart instead of one. I’m sure there are plenty of alternative options but in my opinion, giving clubs who fail in their quest to progress in the Champions League shouldn’t be one of them.
Good luck to the boys tonight, it’s going to be a young side by the sounds of it with a few oldies and spares thrown in and I’m looking forward to it.
See you in the comments guys…
Good morning Rico, I’ve given up “wish listing” when it comes to possible Arsenal opponents. Mainly, because none of my wishes ever come true.
It’s good to see Spuds and Manure through to the knockout stage of the Champions League, now they can’t drop into the Europa League and they’re both unseeded for the first round draw. They must be joint favourites for an early exit. I see Spuds are desperate to get the New Swamp open in time to play a CL match there in order to legitimise their boast that it is the only place in North London to watch CL football. What a sad bunch they are.
The press have it that in January we are either going to take Gary Cahill on loan or sign Eric Bailey from Manure. I said in preseason that we should try to get Cahill from Chelsea and I still think he’d be an asset. What I don’t want is yet another Old Toilet reject, there have been too many in the past and none have been a roaring success, and I include both Welbeck and Mkhitaryan in that.
I’m looking forward to watching the game tonight, a mix of youngsters and experienced pros should see us extend the unbeaten run ad put a little more fear into our next opponents Southampton.
Morning Cicero.
I can’t see Emery going for either myself. I think he’ll opt for younger than Cahill with our future in mind. Mid twenties perhaps. Mind you, I’m only guessing…
Bailly is a non starter imo..
Dead here so catch up later..
Cahill would be an adequate stop gap until our wounded recover.
As an alternative, why not go for the Ajax young Central defender de-Ligt. He would be a delight ( 😉 ) in my eyes.
Get carrier bag out the way, no important injuries, give young ones experience and the fans a chance to see them.
Look to Southampton and the league before the busy Christmas period.
Afternoon Gooners
Afternoon Rico
Jimmy Rimmer was a good signing for us from ManUre, he was in a really poor side lacking investment from the Board (yes lack of investment from our owners isn’t just a new phenomenon), Jimmy then joined Aston Villa where he won the League and European Cup.
Brian Kidd was also good signing, 19 league goals in his first season, but his wife couldn’t settle in the South and after two years Arsenal sold Kiddo to Man City where he continued to score goals.
The mid 1970’s was pretty shit from an Arsenal perspective.
I don’t think that tonight’s team is going to be just the Kids, Emery doesn’t really work that way, every game is important to him and that attitude is now permeating the squad.
Looking at the training pics on Arse.Com the youngsters involved are Willock, Gilmour, AMN, Medley, Nketiah, Saka, Thompson and John-Jules, no Smith Rowe who could be carrying a knock…
Both Ozil and Ramsey are training, no Mustafi, didn’t see Lichtsteiner either or Kolasinac.
Mikael Silvestre ………. don’t think need to say any more!
Throw in another ex-Manu player though – David Platt!
Afternoon Kev, are you going?
AMN might get to play in midfield if there’s no Smith Rowe…
Yes Rico, I’m leaving soon as the traffic is bound to be terrible, then the joys of finding a parking space, but it all adds to the Emirates experience. 😄
Best you wrap up well Kev.. 😜 🥶
Kev. Keep warm over there.
Evening Rico and the house.
The team is
Matinez, Jenkinson, Sokratis, Kossy Niles,
Elneny Willock Ozil, Saka, Lacazett, Eddy
Enjoy Them Kev
Looking foreward to your report.
SubsIliev, Medly, Monreal, Gilmour, Guendouzi Mikky, John Jules
Ozil, our highest paid signing is reduced to playing in a Europa League dead rubber. Oh how the mighty are fallen.
Young team, youngsters on the bench too. Good.
Evening Rick.
He has been injured though Cicero. Lol
Rico ,
I find Ozil Willock Saka Laccazet and Eddy a pretty exciting combination.
Saka is another one with the world at his feet
By the way he should have played in the youth cup last night
Hope Kev is well wrapped up is freezing there c u latter
Depends what mood Ozil is in Rick.
We have to play and do much more
Too many kids not wanting to make mistakes
Not too many mistakes made either
Amount paid to each Club in Champions League:
Grupo A
Borussia de Dortmund: € 36,45 milhões (4V, 1E, 1D + classificação)
Atlético de Madrid: € 36,45 milhões (4V, 1E, 1D + classificação)
Club Brugge: € 20,65 milhões (1V, 3N, 2D)
Monaco: € 16,15 milhões (0V, 1E, 5D)
Grupo B
Barcelona: € 37,35 milhões (4V, 2E, 0D + classificação)
Tottenham : € 31,95 milhões (2V, 2E, 2D + classificação)
Internazionale: € 22,45 milhões (2V, 2E, 2D)
PSV: € 17,05 milhões (0V, 2E, 4D)
Grupo C
Paris Saint-Germain: € 34,65 (3V, 2E, 1D + classificação)
Liverpool: € 32,85 milhões (3V, 0E, 3D + classificação)
Napoli: € 23,35 (2V, 3E, 1D)
Estrela Vermelha: € 18,85 milhões (1V, 1E, 4D)
Grupo D
Porto: € 39,15 milhões (5V, 1E, 0D + classificação)
Schalke 04: € 34,65 milhões (3V, 2E, 1D + classificação)
Galatasaray: € 18,85 milhões ( 1V, 1E, 4D)
Lokomotiv Moscou: € 17,95 milhões (1V, 0E, 5D)
Grupo E
Bayern de Munique: € 37,35 (4V, 2E, 0D + classificação)
Ajax: € 35,55 milhões (3V, 3E, 0D + classificação)
Benfica: € 21,55 milhões (2V, 1E 3D)
AEK: € 15,25 milhões (0V, 0E, 6D)
Grupo F
Manchester City: € 36,45 milhões (4V, 1E, 1D + classificação)
Lyon: € 31,95 milhões (1V, 5E, 0D + classificação)
Shakhtar Donetsk: € 20,65 milhões (1V, 3E, 2D)
Hoffenheim: € 17,95 milhões (0V, 3E, 3D)
Grupo G
Real Madrid: € 35,55 milhões (4V, 0E, 2D + classificação)
Roma: € 32,85 milhões (3V, 0E, 3D + classificação)
Viktoria Plzen: € 21,55 milhões (2V, 1E, 3D)
CSKA Moscou: € 21,55 milhões (2V, 1E, 3D)
Grupo H
Juventus: € 35,55 milhões (4V, 0E, 2D + classificação)
Manchester United: € 33,75 milhões (3V, 1E, 2D + classificação)
Valencia: € 22,45 milhões (2V, 2E, 2D)
Young Boy : € 18,85 milhões (1V, 1E, 4D)
Hi Rico, Rick, Adam and Co.
I had to leave just after half time due to a family issue, nothing major but unavoidable, so I only saw about 50 minutes.
I thought that Joe Willock looked really good, he’s shot up to well over 6’ and reminds me a bit of Yaya Toure, obviously not as good, but he’s looking very promising.
He plays a more attacking role under Emery and that seems to suit his style, I think that he has the potential to break into the senior squad on a regular basis.
Nketiah worked hard but didn’t get a chance until I’d left and a Lacazette had gone off.
I saw some highlights on a YouTube and thought how unlucky he was with hiscoffside goal, a smart header, but that showed his quality as a finisher. It’s gonna be hard for Eddie to get time up front with Lacazette and Aubameyang to compete with, but if he can get a few games out wide then he can go from there.
Saka had some good moments and from the highlights I saw he should have scored two goal, but a very encouraging full debut from out 17 year old winger.
Koscielny looked assured and very fit, he looked as if he’s been in the gym, I’ve not got any concerns about him playing at Southampton.
Disappointed to miss a Gilmour and Medley but pleased they got on and played.
Ozil did ok, but that’s it, ok.
Qarabag were a poor side, but we won the group at a canter, now for a nice draw next Monday against a team from Belgium or Scandinavia or Holland, somewhere local…
Morning Kev, all.
New post up now.