These changes ultimately gave the Europa League something of a Champions League feel, but only for the group winners as two extra games - previously the round of 32 stage - are avoided with the eight runners-up facing a knockout play-off tie and the third-placed teams transferring to the Europa Conference League.Īnd as Arsenal topped their Europa League group which contained PSV Eindhoven, FK Bodo/Glimt and FC Zurich, it meant they were able to experience the benefits of the competition's new alterations by receiving a bye into the round of 16 where they've been drawn against Sporting CP.Īway from home this evening in the first-leg, previously the north London outfit would have had the incentive to score at least one goal in Portugal to improve their chances of reaching the quarter-final. READ MORE: Every word Mikel Arteta said on Gabriel Jesus return, Kieran Tierney mood and squad rotation There will be additional knockout round play-offs prior to the round of 16 these will be between the eight UEFA Europa League group runners-up and the eight third-ranked teams from the UEFA Champions League groups.'

The eight group winners progress automatically to the round of 16. 'The group stage has been reduced from 48 to 32 teams – eight groups of four. As a result, they were not affected by UEFA's announcement with regard to the major changes for the Europa League's 51st season which were as follows:

Arsenal have already benefited from one change to the Europa League format this season and another effectively rules out the prospect of a nightmare scenario repeating itself.ĭue to a lowly eighth-placed Premier League finish in the 2020/21 campaign, the Gunners were not involved in any European competition last term.

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