Arsenal will learn their Europa League group stage opponents this week as the road to Budapest starts in earnest, with a ticket to the Champions League, as well as European glory, up for grabs.
Bundesliga outfit Eintracht Frankfurt defeated Rangers on penalties in the final last season to book their spot in Europe's premier competition this campaign.
Mikel Arteta's men, who finished fifth in the Premier League last season, will be desperate to lift the trophy in May after not competing in any European competition last season.
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Here’s everything you need to know about the Europa League group stage draw...
When is the draw?
The Europa League 2022/23 group stage draw will take place on Friday, August 26, 2022. It takes place in Istanbul, Turkey and the event will begin at 12pm BST.
UEFA will provide a free live stream on their official website and BT Sport will be showing coverage, too.
How will the group stage draw work?
A total of 32 clubs are placed into four groups of eight in accordance with the club coefficient rankings established at the beginning of the season and with the principles set by the Club Competitions Committee.
12 of the clubs competing in the group stage are automatic qualifiers, with the rest of the teams being made up by 10 Europa League play-off winners, six UEFA Champions League play-offs winners and four third qualifying round League path winners.
The final arrangement of the clubs will be finalised before the draw, with the full list of the teams participating set to be confirmed by August 25.
Are there any stipulations?
As always, no club can draw a team from their own association. For example, Arsenal and Manchester United could not be drawn in the same group.
Who could Arsenal face?
The Gunners could be placed into a group with the majority of sides competing in the competition, just not, as mentioned, Man United.
Which teams are involved in the Europa League group stage?
Arsenal are joined by fellow English side Manchester United. The other 30 sides in the draw are Roma, Lazio, PSV Eindhoven, Rennes, Braga, Real Betis, Monaco, Olympiacos, Feyenoord, Real Sociedad, Red Star Belgrade, Dynamo Kyiv, Malmo, Ludogorets, Sheriff, Midtjylland, FK Bodo/Glimt, Union Berlin, Freiburg, Fenerbahce, Nantes, HJK, Sturm Graz, AEK Larnaca, Omonia, Union Saint-Gilloise, Trabzonspor, Zurich and Ferencvaros.
What are the key dates?
Group stage:
Matchday 1: 8 September 2022
Matchday 2: 15 September 2022
Matchday 3: 6 October 2022
Matchday 4 : 13 October 2022
Matchday 5: 27 October 2022
Matchday 6: 3 November 2022
Knockout phase:
Knockout round play-offs: 16 & 23 February
Round of 16: 9 & 16 March 2023
Quarter-finals: 13 & 20 April 2023
Semi-finals: 11 & 18 May 2023
Final: 31 May 2023
Draw dates:
Knockout round play-offs: 7 November
Round of 16: 24 February
Quarter and semi-finals: 17 March
Where is the 2023 final?
The 2022/23 Europa League final will take place on 31 May 2023 at Budapest's Puskás Aréna Park.
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