Europa League: Premier League Leaders Arsenal Handed Fairly Tough Draw in Europe’s Secondary Competition

• Arsenal have not won a European trophy since the 1993/94 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup but are named among the favourites to win the Europa League this season
• Mikel Arteta's side will square off against PSV Eindhoven, FC Zurich and Norwegian top-flight outfit FK Bodø / Glimt.
• The 2022/23 campaign is the 52nd season of the Europa League, the 14th since it was rebranded from UEFA Cup to UEFA Europa League

Arsenal have been handed a relatively tough group in Europe's secondary competition, UEFA Europa League.

The Premier League side have been drawn in Group A alongside PSV Eindhoven, coached by former Manchester United striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy, FC Zurich and Norwegian surprise package FK Bodø / Glimt.

The Gunners have begun the 2022-23 Premier League on a flier winning all three games - a sharp contrast to their fortunes as compared to last season, where they lost their opening three games.

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Having edged fierce rivals Ajax Amsterdam in the Dutch Super Cup, PSV narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification in heartbreaking circumstances but will aim to make amends in the Europa League.

FK Bodø / Glimt hogged the headlines in the Conference League when the Norwegian side walloped Mourinho's AS Roma 6-1 in a fairytale run last season.

Meanwhile, Zurich, appear worse off among the teams in Group A, currently occupying the bottom of the Swiss top-flight with only two points after five matches.

On paper, Mikel Arteta's charges are expected to cruise to the next round of the competition following their great start to the campaign.

This season's Europa League finals will be staged at the Puskás Aréna, Budapest in Romania.

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In a related story, Sports Brief earlier reported that Manchester United have been drawn against tricky Spanish opposition in Real Sociedad in the group stages of the Europa League.

United have often struggled against Spanish opposition in European competitions. Erik ten Hag will be hoping for better tidings this season when he takes his charges to the Reale Arena.

Last season, they were eliminated from the Champions League by Atletico Madrid. United fans will also remember the recent disheartening losses to Sevilla and Villareal.