THE Champions League draw has been simulated, and Arsenal could be handed a nightmare
The actual draw for Europe’s premier football competition is scheduled to take place TOMORROW at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, France.
And Mikel Arteta will be hoping the draw is kinder to his Gunners side than the simulation.
In the run-through of the tournament, Arsenal have been handed a nightmare run of games in the league phase.
The North London outfit may have a trip to Spain to take on 15-time winners Real Madrid.
Los Blancos would be up for revenge after Arsenal dumped them out of the tournament in the quarter-finals last term.
This could then be followed with a tie against last season’s runners-up, Inter Milan.
But they could also face tough games against Atletico Madrid, Napoli, as well as Belgian outfit Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.
Arsenal will not be the only English side with a horror run of fixtures in the Champions League league phase.
Chelsea could start their efforts with clashes against Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
The Blues could also go on to face Kazakhstan outfit FC Kairat, who dumped out Celtic in the qualifying stages.
Liverpool will also be hoping to have some better luck when the actual draw takes place.
Arne Slot’s side finished top of the league phase last term as they won seven out of eight matches.
The Reds will be hoping to at least match that record, but could come up against Borussia Dortmund, Madrid, Ajax and AS Monaco.
Manchester City won the Champions League in 2023 but struggled last season.
Pep Guardiola’s side scraped through the league phase in 22nd place.
This year, they could fail to reach the knockouts if they fail to perform with simulated matches against Inter, Bayern, Bayer Leverkusen and Atletico Madrid.
Tottenham qualified for the tournament through their miraculous Europa League victory over Manchester United in May.
Under new manager Thomas Frank they seem rejuvenated and will be looking forward to their Champions League return.
However, predicted clashed against Barcelona and holders Paris Saint-Germain could leave them with their stuffing knocked out.
Newcastle gave a good account of themselves when they qualified for the tournament as they endured a group of death with the likes of PSG, AC Milan and Dortmund.
The new league phase format could boost Eddie Howe’s side as they could have some more winnable games.
The simulation has suggested they will face PSG and Dortmund yet again.
However, it does think that the Magpies could have more winnable fixtures against Kairat, Club Brugge and Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce.
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