The Champions League draw has delivered demanding fixtures for all six English clubs in the newly formatted league phase.
Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur discovered their eight opponents each in Thursday's draw, with several daunting matchups awaiting.
Each English side faces formidable opposition, including encounters with European giants like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona.
The draw marks a significant moment for Chelsea, Newcastle and Tottenham, who have returned to Europe's premier club competition following their absence last season.
Both Arsenal and Liverpool have been handed difficult group stages
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Liverpool's fixtures include a particularly poignant encounter with Real Madrid, which will see former defender Trent Alexander-Arnold make an emotional return to Anfield following his summer transfer to the Spanish capital.
Arsenal face a particularly demanding schedule after reaching last season's semi-finals, where they were eliminated by eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain.
The Gunners must navigate fixtures against Bayern Munich and last year's runners-up Inter Milan, alongside encounters with Atletico Madrid, Club Brugge, Olympiacos, Slavia Praha, Kairat Almaty and Athletic Bilbao.
Liverpool's campaign includes the headline fixture against Real Madrid, marking Trent Alexander-Arnold's first return to Anfield since his emotional departure to the Spanish giants this summer.
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The Reds, who exited last season at the round of 16 stage following a penalty shootout defeat to PSG, will also face Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, Eintracht Frankfurt, PSV Eindhoven, Marseille, Qarabag and Galatasaray.
Manchester City's European campaign includes another meeting with Real Madrid, the side that eliminated them in last season's knockout phase play-offs. Pep Guardiola's squad, seeking their second Champions League title, will also reunite with former midfielder Kevin De Bruyne when they face Napoli.
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Trent Alexander Arnold is set for a return to Anfield to face Liverpool
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City's remaining fixtures feature encounters with Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, Galatasaray, Villarreal, Bodo/Glimt and AS Monaco. The draw presents Guardiola with an opportunity to improve upon last season's disappointing European campaign, which saw them exit earlier than expected by their high standards.
The revitalised City squad will need to navigate these challenging fixtures as they pursue continental glory once more.
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Chelsea's return to the Champions League after missing the 2023/24 season sees Enzo Maresca's side face Harry Kane's Bayern Munich and Marcus Rashford's Barcelona.
The Blues, who secured fourth place in the Premier League and won both the Conference League and Club World Cup last season, will also meet Atalanta, Ajax, Napoli, Pafos and Qarabag.
Tottenham are set for a Super Cup rematch against reigning champions PSG
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Meanwhile, Tottenham earned their place through Europa League success, defeating Manchester United to secure their first trophy since 2008. New manager Thomas Frank faces the challenge of visiting defending champions PSG, with additional fixtures against Borussia Dortmund, Villarreal, Frankfurt, Slavia Praha, Bodo/Glimt, Copenhagen and Monaco.
Newcastle's fifth-place Premier League finish secured their return after exiting at the group stage in 2023/24. Eddie Howe's side face Barcelona, PSG, Bayer Leverkusen, Benfica, Marseille, PSV, Athletic Bilbao and Union SG.