Sergio Ramos has immediate impact as Arsenal get PSV warning ahead of Champions League opener

Arsenal are back at Europe’s top table this season and all connected to the club don’t have to wait much longer to hear the famous Champions League anthem ring around the Emirates Stadium ahead of kick-off for the first time in six years.

Considering the likes of Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, AC Milan and Galatasaray were all possible opponents for the Gunners – who were placed in Pot 2 for the group stage draw – to be paired with Sevilla, PSV Eindhoven and RC Lens certainly isn’t the worst outcome in the world.

That’s not to say Arsenal will qualify from Group B with ease. After all, Mikel Arteta is making his proper managerial debut in the competition – despite taking charge of a Manchester City game in 2018 when Pep Guardiola was suspended – and there’s not a great deal of UEFA Champions League experience across the squad.

But what does bode well for the north London outfit is their results so far this season. Whilst the performances haven’t been as eye-catching as they were a year ago, 13 points from a possible 15, including a win over Manchester United, in addition to lifting the Community Shield is a very good return.

So after Arsenal warmed up for their return to Europe’s elite club competition by ending their Goodison Park hoodoo with a 1-0 win over Everton, football.london has taken a look at how their opponents in the group phase got on at the weekend and how they have fared so far this season.

Sevilla
The Europa League holders have shown two sides at the start of the season. They lost their opening three LaLiga fixtures but pushed Manchester City very close in the UEFA Super Cup clash last month, losing on penalties and based on chances created, perhaps, should have won the game in normal time.

With a point to prove in the Champions League as their record in the competition is not great, reaching the quarter-final stage twice in 10 attempts, Sevilla have brought in a player who knows a thing or two about lifting the famous trophy; Sergio Ramos. Back at the club where it all began, his return coincided with a first league win of the campaign against Las Palmas on Sunday.

If the legendary Spanish defender can inspire an experienced squad that contains the likes of Ivan Rakitic, Jesus Navas, Suso and Youssef En-Nesyri then the double-header against Arsenal on matchday three and four could be crucial with regards to who tops Group B.

PSV Eindhoven
Arsenal’s first opponents on Wednesday night. These two teams met in the Europa League group stage a year ago and they traded victories as the home side. But a lot has changed since with PSV Eindhoven losing key players such as Cody Gakpo, Xavi Simons, Ibrahim Sangare as well as manager Ruud van Nistelrooy.

However, they have signed highly-rated Dutch winger Nao Lang, brought Hirving Lozano back for a second spell and signed Armel Bella-Kotchap on loan from Southampton among other deals. All of this has resulted in a stunning start to the season as they’ve won eight out of nine competitive fixtures, drawing the other away at Rangers.

Simply put, PSV should arrive in north London in a confident mood. Experienced striker Luuk de Jong – a scorer against the Gunners last season – is one to watch out for as he’s got nine goals in as many appearances so far, including a brace at the weekend as his side warmed up for Wednesday night by thrashing NEC Nijmegen 4-0.

RC Lens
Based on UEFA club coefficients, last season’s Ligue 1 runners-up are the lowest-ranked team across the competition and this is only the third time in their history that they’ve qualified for the group stage of the Champions League. Ironically they faced the Gunners back in the 1998/99 campaign and emerged from the two meetings with four points.

However, they have started this season poorly. Taking one point from a possible 15 is not a good return and Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at home to Metz was their third loss on the spin as the departures of Lois Openda – who netted 21 league goals last term – and Seko Fofana have had a negative impact.