European giants await as Arsenal women are given brutal Champions League fixtures

Arsenal Women now know their opponents for the upcoming UEFA Women’s Champions League, which will run with a new format from this season.

The tournament has been redesigned into an 18-team single league phase. Each club will face six different opponents, with three matches at home and three away.

Arsenal in Pot 1 as defending champions

Arsenal begin the campaign as a Pot 1 team because they are the current holders of the trophy. They won the title for the second time last season.

Renée Slegers guided her side to glory after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Barcelona Femení in the final. That victory secured Arsenal’s historic second European crown.

Their path to the title was a memorable one. They beat eight-time winners Lyon and Spanish side Real Madrid before also overcoming Bayern Munich in the group stage.

This strong run of results showed the quality and resilience of the squad. It also underlined Arsenal’s ability to handle tough opponents in European football.

Arsenal’s league phase fixtures revealed

The new format has handed Arsenal another challenging set of fixtures. They will host Lyon, who remain the most successful club in the competition’s history.

Spanish giants Real Madrid will also travel to north London, as well as Dutch club Twente, who continue to grow in stature across the continent.

Trips to Germany, Portugal and Belgium are also on the schedule. Arsenal will visit Bayern Munich, Benfica and Belgian side Leuven in the league phase.

Each side in the league will play two opponents from Pot 1, two from Pot 2, and two from Pot 3. This structure ensures a competitive balance.

Slegers will hope her side’s experience in last year’s campaign proves decisive. Arsenal overcame three of these same teams on their way to lifting the trophy.

The Gunners remain the only English team ever to win the UEFA Women’s Champions League. They will now look to defend their crown against Europe’s best.

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