Arsenal are aiming to go a step further in this season’s Europa League after suffering a semi-final defeat to Atletico Madrid last term.
Unai Emery – a three-time winner of the Europa League with Sevilla – will hope to lead the Gunners to May’s final in Baku. And they’ll fancy their chances of coming through the group stage after discovering their opponents on Friday
Who are they?
The Gunners are in Group E and will take on Sporting Lisbon – the highest-ranked team in pot two and last season’s quarter-finalists – Azeri champions Qarabag, who held last season’s winners Atletico to two draws in the 2017-18 Champions League group stage, and Ukrainian side Vorskla.
How did they qualify?
Sporting finished third in the Primeira Liga last season and earned automatic qualification. Qarabag came through a play-off tie with Sheriff after failing to make it through the Champions League qualification process, while Vorskla’s third-placed finish in Ukraine secured their berth.
Danger men
Sporting lost a host of first-team players in the summer after they cancelled their contracts following an attack at the training ground by the club’s fans. Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes stayed while former Manchester United winger Nani rejoined the club for a third spell. Qarabag’s 21-year-old striker Mahir Madatov can be a handful, while Spaniard Dani Quintana is a threat from midfield. Yury Kolomoeta, Vorskla’s top scorer last season, will hope to score his first goal in Europe while Vyacheslav Sharpar and Pavlo Rebenok pull the strings in midfield.
When are the matches?
September 20: Arsenal v Vorskla (8pm)
October 4: Qarabag v Arsenal (5.55pm)
October 25: Sporting Lisbon v Arsenal (5.55pm)
November 8: Arsenal v Sporting Lisbon (8pm)
November 29: Vorskla v Arsenal (5.55pm)
December 13: Arsenal v Qarabag (8pm)