Europa League draw: Arsenal face Sporting Lisbon, Chelsea get PAOK

Arsenal will face Sporting CP in Group E of the Europa League, while Chelsea take on PAOK and BATE and AC Milan meet Real Betis.

Arsenal will face unsettled Sporting CP in Group E of this season’s Europa League.

Former Argentinian footballer Hernan Crespo holds the slip of Arsenal during the draw for UEFA Europa League football tournament at The Grimaldi Forum in Monaco on August 31, 2018. (AFP)

The Gunners were pitted against the Portuguese giants, who lost several first-team stars this month after they terminated their contracts following an attack at their training ground.

Qarabag of Azerbaijan and Vorskla of Ukraine also make up a relatively favourable group for Unai Emery’s side.

Chelsea will expect to progress to the knockout phase after being drawn against PAOK, BATE and Videoton in Group L.

AC Milan, though, face a more difficult campaign against Olympiacos, Real Betis and Dudelange in Group F.

Celtic are in something of a tough Group B, alongside Rosenborg, Salzburg and RB Leipzig. The latter two teams are both owned by drinks giants Red Bull.

Steven Gerrard’s Rangers are also facing a difficult group stage, having been pitted against Villarreal, Rapid Vienna and Spartak Moscow in Group G.

Last season’s semi-finalists Marseille will meet Lazio, Eintracht Frankfurt and Apollon in a competitive Group H.