Manchester United and Arsenal have been drawn against good opposition in the Europa League and while both have the quality to advance, they can’t afford to take their group stage games lightly if they’re to advance.
– Europa League draw: Man United, Arsenal face tough groups
Manchester United will face Real Sociedad, who finished sixth in LaLiga last season, Sheriff Tiraspol from Moldova (they beat Real Madrid last season in the Champions League) and the Cypriot side, Omonia Nicosia. Meanwhile Arsenal will travel to the Netherlands to play PSV Eindhoven, who lost to Rangers in the Champions League playoff in midweek, as well as to the very northern tip of Norway to meet FK Bodo/Glimt (who beat AS Roma 6-1 in the Europa Conference League last season) and Swiss side FC Zurich.
Despite losing their striker Alexander Isak to Newcastle, Real Sociedad still have a talented squad, boasting promising young talent like forward Mohamed-Ali Cho and midfielder Takefusa Kubo, established internationals like Mikel Merino and Mikel Oyarzabal, and they’re led by the 36-year-old David Silva, who will return to Manchester after playing for 10 years for City. The team plays attacking, passing football and their manager Imanol Alguacil, who took them to their first Spanish Cup win in 33 years in 2020 (played in 2021), is doing a great job.
