Arsenal have been drawn against Sevilla, PSV and Lens, but one former skipper doesn't think they'll finish first
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Arsenal return to the Champions League for the 2023/24 season after more than six years away, and are favourites to finish top of Group B to qualify for the knockout stages.
Former Arsenal captain William Gallas, though, doesn't believe the Gunners are guaranteed to comfortably qualify from their group, which also contains Sevilla, PSV and Lens.
Picking out Spanish side Sevilla, who reached the Champions League after winning the Europa League once again last season, as Arsenal's main threat in the group, Gallas thinks the lack of experience Mikel Arteta and his players have on the elite European stage could impact their performances in the competition.
Gallas captained Arsenal at the end of the 2000s (Image credit: Getty Images)
"I wouldn’t be so confident that Arsenal will dominate their Champions League group," Gallas told Genting Casino. "Sevilla is a very strong team. After watching the Europa League final, I saw a team that is very comfortable on the European stage.
"I think they will finish in the top two of the group. It’s very difficult to play against Sevilla – they play good, intense football. Technically, they are really good. Don’t forget, Sevilla also has a lot more experience than Arsenal at this level.
"I’m confident that Arsenal will qualify from the group, that is for sure, but they will finish behind Sevilla."
With a large amount of the Arsenal squad set to make their Champions League debuts against PSV on Wednesday night, Gallas highlights the pride each player will be feeling ahead of kick-off.
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Gallas is backing Sevilla to top the group after they won the Europa League last season (Image credit: Getty Images)
"The players who haven’t played in the Champions League will realise that all of the sacrifices they made as young people to become professional football players was worth it," Gallas said.
"Playing in the Champions League is a dream for any professional, football player. They will be a lot of thoughts running through the players’ minds while the Champions League anthem is playing. They will be very proud of themselves because, you have to make huge sacrifices to make it in football.
"It’s not easy making your breakthrough. They need to enjoy the moment because they deserve it."
Ryan is a staff writer for FourFourTwo, joining the team full-time in October 2022. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before eventually earning himself a position with FourFourTwo permanently. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer while a Trainee News Writer at Future.
