/cloudfront-us-east-2.images.arcpublishing.com/reuters/CWKSWCAA55INNKARHVY2SASSCY.jpg "Russian missiles target Ukrainian energy facilities before winter – Kyiv")
Good night and welcome to our dwell protection of the 2023-24 Champions League group stage draw with Manchester Metropolis, Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle United the Premier League’s 4 representatives.
Pep Guardiola’s Metropolis are the European Cup holders after beating Inter Milan 1-0 in Istanbul in final season’s ultimate, when Rodri’s winner sealed the Treble. Metropolis have misplaced Ilkay Gundogan to Barcelona and Kevin De Bruyne to damage, however midfield reinforcements have arrived within the form of Mateo Kovacic and the approaching signing of Mathues Nunes. Metropolis additionally paid £77.8 million to make Josko Gvardiol the second-most costly defender ever. The Croatian performed towards Metropolis on this competitors with RB Leipzig final season, and Metropolis are robust favourites to retain their crown for good purpose.
Arsenal are returning to Europe’s prime membership competitors for the primary time since 2016-17 and Mikel Arteta can be concerned in his first Champions League matches as a supervisor. Arsenal’s file in European competitors is poor for a membership of their stature, and Arteta didn’t handle to crack the Europa League in three makes an attempt. That mentioned, the squad is stronger this season and the Champions League will demand larger consideration. The stability of energy has additionally shifted decisively in the direction of the Premier League since Arsenal have been final within the Champions League
Successful the Carabao Cup and securing a top-four end was seen as a profitable first season at Manchester United for Erik ten Hag, and the three-time European Cup winners haven’t made it past the quarter-finals since 2011. It has been an unconvincing begin to the season for United and they’re scrambling so as to add a midfielder and emergency left-back earlier than the shut of the switch window. Their Europa League exit to Sevilla was one of many lows of final season.
Newcastle United are making their first look within the Champions League since 2002-03. There can be doubts about whether or not Newcastle have the reserves of high quality to compete at house and overseas, however the depth of Eddie Howe’s group will make St James’ Park an uncompromising venue for any Champions League membership. Their lengthy absence from European competitors places them in pot 4, leaving them to hope for a beneficial draw. A bunch that includes each Bayern Munich and Actual Madrid is a risk.
We anticipate the draw to begin at 5pm.
