Arsenal, Newcastle, Man United and Man City Champions League fixture dates confirmed
The 2023/24 Champions League kicks off the week commencing September 18 with the four Premier League teams set to take part learning the dates of the group stage fixtures. The draw took place on Thursday with Arsenal making a return to the competition after a seven-year absence alongside Newcastle United, their first appearance in over 20 years, Manchester City and Manchester United.
For the Gunners, the draw could not have gone much better with their Pot 1 opponents being revealed as Europa League champions Sevilla. Dutch giants PSV and French outfit Lens were then confirmed as Arsenal’s other opponents they will face in the latter months of 2023.
With six extra fixtures to fit into Arsenal’s upcoming schedule, the dates of those ties have now been decided upon. The Gunners will kick off their campaign by facing PSV at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, September 20 before a trip to Lens on Tuesday, October 3.
Exactly three weeks later, Arsenal will take on Sevilla in Spain before the return fixture is played in north London on Wednesday, November 8. An international break sees a bigger gap emerge next before Arsenal’s next clash where they are again at home this time against Lens on Wednesday, November 29 with the curtain closing on their group stage venture in Eindhoven on Tuesday, December 12.
As for holders Man City, they will face FK Crvena Zvezda (Tuesday, September 19 at home and Wednesday, December 13 away). Pep Guardiola’s side will once again be tested against RB Leizpig with the German outfit drawn as their Pot 2 team with the away game set for Wednesday, October 4 and home meeting on Tuesday, November 28.
In between those four games, Man City will do battle with Young Boys first in Switzerland on Wednesday, October 25 before welcoming them to Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, November 7. Manchester United begin their campaign with the worst possible draw as they are down to face Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday, September 20 and therefore close out their group stage fixtures by facing the German giants at Old Trafford on Tuesday, December 12.
Galatasaray will be their first visitors on Tuesday, October 3 before Erik ten Hag’s side travel to Turkey on Wednesday, November 29. Man United’s final opponents are Copenhagen with the home clash to be contested on Tuesday, October 24 and the away game on Wednesday, November 8.
Newcastle kick off their long-awaited return with an immediate San Siro comeback for Sandro Tonali as they take on AC Milan on Tuesday, September 19. The home game is then down for Wednesday, December 13 with their first clash at St James Park against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, October 4 and the away game on Tuesday, November 28.
The Magpies will also face Borussia Dortmund at home on Wednesday, October 25 and in Germany on Tuesday, November 7. Of the four English teams, Manchester City and Arsenal have certainly been given a favourable draw with both teams in action on the European stage before they face off in the Premier League on Sunday, October 8.
Neither has a distinct advantage although Arsenal will feel they hold a slight one as their game away to Lens is the day before Man City battle Leipzig in Germany, meaning an extra day of rest and preparation for the Gunners.
