Europa League draw: Arsenal drawn against Cologne while Everton face tough trip to Lyon as the groups stages of the tournament are announced
- The draw for the group stages of the 2017-18 Europa League has been confirmed
- Arsenal will face Bate Borisov, German side Cologne and Red Star Belgrade
- Everton come up against French giants Lyon, Atalanta and Apollon Limassol
Arsenal and Everton have learned their opponents for the group stage of the 2017-18 Europa League campaign after the draw was made in Monaco.
The Gunners, coming out of pot one, face Belarusian champions Bate Borisov, German side Cologne and Red Star Belgrade in Group H.
Everton, drawn in Group E, will come up against French giants Lyon, Atalanta BC of Italy and Apollon Limassol.
The Europa League group stage draw has been made in Monaco, serving up some big ties
Arsene Wenger sees his side face a tough fixture up against German side Cologne
After defeating Hajuk Split face a tough task against French giants Lyon on the horizon
Arsene Wenger’s side find themselves without Champions League football for their first time in two decades, but are among the favourites to lift the trophy in Lyon come May.
Everton will be hopeful of making an impact on the European stage, with returning hero Wayne Rooney looking to recapture the trophy he won with Manchester United last season.
The competition also sees other European giants lurking in the shadows, with AC Milan sharing Group D with Austria Wien, AEK Athens and Croatian champions Rijeka.
Hoffenheim, who were defeated by Liverpool in the qualifying stage of the Champions League, enter the competition and are placed in Group C - where fixtures with Sporting Braga, Ludogorets and Istanbul Basaksehir await.
Group K serves up a Lazio versus Nice showdown, while Real Sociedad will do battle with Russian champions Zenit St. Petersburg in Group L.
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