Champions League play-off draw: Who could Arsenal face in the two-legged tie?

The draw for Europe's elite competition takes place on Friday

James Orr
Monday 04 August 2014 23:31 BST
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Alexis Sanchez in action for Arsenal during the Emirates Cup tie against Monaco
Alexis Sanchez in action for Arsenal during the Emirates Cup tie against Monaco (GETTY IMAGES)

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Arsenal could potentially face the tough task of either Athletic Bilbao, Lille, Besiktas, Feyernoord or Panathinaikos in the Champions League play-off round when the draw takes place on Friday.

The Gunners, who finished fourth in the Premier League last season, will enter the draw as one of the seeded teams, alongside FC Porto, Bayer Leverkusen, Napoli, and possibly Zenit St Petersburg.

However, should Andre Villas-Boas's Zenit fail to overturn their 1-0 first-leg deficit against AEL Limassol, Athletic Bilbao will take their place as one of the seeded teams and will not be matched with Arsenal.

Arsenal will not face Celtic in the draw if the Scottish champions reach the play-off round. Arsenal will enter in the 'League Route' section of the draw, while Celtic, who were beaten 4-1 by Legia Warsaw in the first leg, are in the 'Champions Route' section.

The second leg of the play-off round fixtures take place on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The teams Arsenal could face in the play-off:

Athletic Bilbao - if Zenit progress they will be unseeded

Lille

FC Copenhagen

Standard Liege

Besiktaş

Dnipro

Panathinaikos

Feyenoord

Grasshoppers

AEL Limassol

The first legs will be played on 19 and 20 August, and the second legs will be played on 26 and 27 August 2014.

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