Real Madrid and other teams Arsenal could face in the Champions League group stages

• Arsenal will participate in the Champions League once again since the 2016/2017 season
• That was their target at the start of the season but they found themselves challenging for the title as well
• Their return could see them face some of the European heavyweights in the group stages, depending on how the season ends

Despite losing to Manchester City 4-1 on April 26, Arsenal became the first team in England to qualify for next season's Champions League thanks to Brighton losing to Nottingham Forrest on the same day.

The defeat at the Etihad was damaging as it blew Arsenal's title hopes, with the advantage shifting back to the defending champions. Pep Guardiola's charges are now two points off Arsenal with two games in hand.

However, in handsight, qualification to the Champions League will be a huge achievement in itself, given that the club has failed to participate in Europe's top competition for more than six years.

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They came close to qualifying last season only for a late slip against their North London rivals, Tottenham, to condemn them to another Europa League appearance.

The club will now be rubbing shoulders with Europe's elite once again though finishing second could hand them a rude welcome.

Champions League group stage rules

According to UEFA rules, the seeding of pots used during the group stage draws will be determined by a number of factors, namely:

"The teams will be split into four seeding pots. Pot 1 will consist of the holders, the UEFA Europa League winners and the champions of the six highest-ranked nations who did not qualify via one of the 2022/23 continental titles; Pots 2 to 4 will be determined by the club coefficient rankings."

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Arsenal wrestling the league from Manchester City could be good news to them as they would automatically go into Pot 1. However, finishing second would be catastrophic because, given their recent forays in Europe, their coefficient ranking is much lower than a majority of other teams.

As it stands, Arsenal are number 23 according to the co-efficient ranking, which means they rank lower than Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Liverpool, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, Juventus, Barcelona, AS Roma, Internazionale, Ajax, Borussia Dortmund, Sevilla, Atletico Madrid, RB Leipzig, Benfica, Villarreal, Napoli, Porto, Tottenham Hotspur and Eintracht Frankfurt as captured by Football London.

To make matters worse for Arsenal, of all the teams above them, only Chelsea don't have a shot of qualifying for the Champions League. The rest can still make it through the league or winning the Champions League or the Europa League.

Teams Arsenal could face

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Hypothetically, should all the teams qualify for the Champions League, Arsenal could find themselves as low as in Pot 3, which would open the possibility of being drawn against Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Barcelona or Paris Saint-Germain.

There are, however, other factors like Real Madrid finding themselves in Pot 2 should they fail to win the Champions League as Barcelona look like the La Liga Champions-elect. Bayern Munich could also drop to Pot 2 should Borussia Dortmund beat them to the Bundesliga title.

Be it as it may, it is seemingly difficult for Arsenal to make it to Pot 1, with Manchester City closing in on a fifth title in six years. But my bet is if you ask any Arsenal fan, they won't mind any Pot they are in, even if it's Pot 4(impossible), cause the Champions League anthem will be played at the Emirates again!

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Sports Brief has also reported that Pep Guardiola appears to be telling Arsenal to forget the Premier League title this season after their 4-1 loss to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

Arsenal have mounted a strong title race challenge to City but seems to have lost it with five games to go after disastrous results in their last four games.

Pep Guardiola delivered a tactical masterclass to teach his former assistant Mikel Arteta a lesson in the game. With two games in hand, he recognises the advantage his team has.