Arsenal FC was the first team to be `ball to be drawn out at the draw for the 2022/23 UEFA Europa League group stage in Istanbul, Turkey.
Placing in group A, Arsenal was drawn alongside PSV Eindhoven, Bodo/Glimt ad Zurich.
2022/23 Europa League group stage draw
Group A: Arsenal, PSV Eindhoven, Bodø/Glimt, Zürich
Group B: Dynamo Kyiv, Rennes, Fenerbahçe, AEK Larnaca
Group C: Roma, Ludogorets, Real Betis, HJK Helsinki
Group D: Braga, Malmö, Union Berlin, St-Gilloise
Group E: Manchester United, Real Sociedad, Sheriff, Omonoia
Group F: Lazio, Feyenoord, Midtjylland, Sturm Graz
Group G: Olympiacos, Qarabağ, Freiburg, Nantes
Group H: Crvena zvezda, Monaco, Ferencváros, Trabzonspor
Match dates
Matchday 1: 8 September
Matchday 2: 15 September
Matchday 3: 6 October
Matchday 4: 13 October
Matchday 5: 27 October
Matchday 6: 3 November
Read also; NGX Reg lifts suspension on Trading of Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc shares
How does the group stage work?
Teams in every group face each other home and away, with the same sides meeting on Matchdays 1 and 5, or Matchdays 2 and 6, or Matchdays 3 and 4.
The top three clubs will continue their European campaigns in the new year:
- Group winners progress to the round of 16.
- Group runners-up go into the knockout round play-offs, where they will take on the third-placed UEFA Champions League teams for spots in the round of 16.
- Third-placed sides transfer to the UEFA Europa Conference League knockout round play-offs.
How did the draw work?
Teams were divided into four pots based on their UEFA club coefficients. One team from each of the pots was then drawn into the eight groups, A–H. There were a few caveats: no team could play a club from their own association, and some sides from the same association were paired to ensure they play at different kick-off times (18:45 CET and 21:00 CET) for the benefit of TV audiences.
Nnamdi Maduakor is a Writer, Investor and Entrepreneur
