Arsenal’s Champions League Schedule: What It Means for the Gunners

As the Premier League schedule was confirmed, Arsenal fans can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and anxiety. The Gunners will be competing in the Champions League next season, and with the new format, it’s going to be a busy season ahead.

A Busy Schedule Ahead

Mikel Arteta’s side will be looking to battle with Manchester City for the Premier League title, after having back-to-back second-place finishes the last two seasons. But with the Champions League fixtures added to the mix, the Gunners will have to be at the top of their game to succeed.

The new Champions League format will bring new challenges for Arsenal

The Champions League will now feature 36 teams, with each team playing eight league phase fixtures. The competition will begin in September, and unlike previous seasons, the league phase will not finish in December. Instead, each team will continue their group stage schedule until the end of January, after which point the knockout rounds will begin.

The Champions League Schedule

Here are the matchdays for the eight league phase fixtures of the new Champions League format:

• Matchday 1: September 17-19
• Matchday 2: October 1/2
• Matchday 3: October 22/23
• Matchday 4: November 5/6
• Matchday 5: November 26/27
• Matchday 6: December 10/11
• Matchday 7: January 21/22
• Matchday 8: January 29

Arsenal will discover their opponents for the new Champions League format when the draw is made later this summer. UEFA have already confirmed that the draw for the league phase of the tournament will take place on August 29, approximately two weeks after the Gunners begin their Premier League campaign.

What It Means for Arsenal

The new Champions League format will undoubtedly bring new challenges for Arsenal. With the added fixtures, the Gunners will need to be strategic with their squad rotation and player management. But with the talent and depth of the current squad, there’s no reason why Arsenal can’t make a deep run in the competition.

The Gunners will need to be strategic with their squad rotation and player management

As a fan, it’s hard not to get excited about the prospect of watching Arsenal compete against the best teams in Europe. The new Champions League format may bring its challenges, but it also brings new opportunities for the Gunners to make their mark on the European stage.