Europa League Draw: Arsenal & Everton Handed Tricky Groups

The draw for the group stages of the Europa League has been conducted today with Arsenal and Everton discovering their fate.

Arsenal are in the Europa League after failing to finish in the top four of the Premier League last season for the first time in 20 years.

And Arsene Wenger’s men have been drawn in Group H along with Belarus champions BATE Borisov, FC Köln and FK Crvena Zvezda [Red Star Belgrade].

It’s a tricky group for the Gunners as it means a long-haul trip to Belarus, a double-header against Lukas Podolski’s former side and a tough trip to Serbia to face former European champions Red Star Belgrade.

It’s not ideal but I’m sure the north Londoners – who are joint favourites to win the Europa League with AC Milan – will be confident of winning the group and progressing to the knock out stages.

Everton booked their place in the group stages of the competition after beating Hajduk Split 3-1 on aggregate in their play-off last night and they’ve been handed a testing task to make it to the knockouts.

The Toffees have been drawn in Group E and will face French giants Lyon, Serie A outfit Atalanta and Cypriot minnows Limassol.

Here is the full draw: