Arsenal can't face Serie A giants away in UCL this season due to UEFA rule

Arsenal had a brilliant 2025/26 Champions League campaign, but eventually lost to Paris Saint-Germain in the final on penalties.

The Gunners have made good progress, reaching the quarter-final, semi-final and final respectively in the last three editions, and will be eyeing the coveted prize this season.

The Gunners will be drawn against eight clubs for the league phase of the Champions League tomorrow, but they certainly won’t be facing Inter Milan on the road this time.

Both Arsenal and Inter Milan are in Pot 1 of Thursday’s draw. The Gunners have faced the Nerazzurri at San Siro in each of the last two seasons, but a repeat won’t be on the cards.

According to journalist Ryan Taylor, a new UEFA rule states that ‘no individual fixture played twice in the past two seasons can be repeated with the same home team’ during the league phase.

The Gunners lost 1-0 to the Nerazzurri at San Siro by a controversial penalty during the 2024/25 season, but they got their revenge last term, securing a convincing 3-1 victory at the stadium.

The two clubs won’t be meeting at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza this season, but Arsenal could still host the Nerazzurri at the Emirates Stadium. It is left to be seen whether that happens.

With no trip to Inter, the Gunners will face one of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich away from home from Pot 1 of the league phase draw.

Arsenal finished top of the league phase last season with a 100 percent record and 24 points from eight matches. It would be an incredible feat if they can replicate the feat this time around.

The draw for the 36-team league phase will take place tomorrow at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco at 5pm BST.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

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