Arsenal face mouthwatering assignments against Real Madrid and Bayern Munich as they bid to go one better than last season's near miss and win a first Champions League title.
Mikel Arteta's side were pipped on penalties by Paris Saint-Germain in the final three months ago and will be expected to cruise through this season's league phase.
The bulk of their draw appears kind, but they travel to the Allianz Arena to play Bayern, whom they beat 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium last November, and host Real, who are once again under José Mourinho.
Arsenal will also welcome Borussia Dortmund, Lille and the Azerbaijani debutants Sabah to north London, with away trips to Napoli, Slavia Prague and a reunion with Héctor Bellerín at Real Betis rounding out their eight fixtures.
Manchester City will swiftly renew acquaintances with Rodri when they visit Barcelona during Enzo Maresca's first Champions League campaign in charge, and greet Kevin De Bruyne and Napoli at the Etihad.
Their other home ties bring an enticing meeting with the reigning champions PSG, a tie against Sporting and a visit by AEK Athens, with trips to Porto, RB Leipzig and Lens completing the set.
Manchester United's return to Europe's elite competition throws up home games with Bayern, Roma, RB Leipzig and Sabah, while Michael Carrick's team travel to Como, managed by Cesc Fàbregas, along with Atlético Madrid, Sporting and Villarreal.
Liverpool will host Atlético, Porto, Villarreal and Lens, and visit Lask, the newcomers who beat Celtic on Tuesday, along with Club Brugge, Fenerbahce and Inter.
Aston Villa, ravaged by the departures of key players, will hope to have strengthened for a home tie with PSG and a visit to Barcelona, with Borussia Dortmund, Fenerbahce and Norwegian new boys Viking Stavanger also visiting Villa Park.
Unai Emery will also take his team to Club Brugge, Galatasaray and Slavia Prague.
How the English clubs' eight league-phase games shape up
- Manchester City: PSG (h), Barcelona (a), Sporting (h), Porto (a), Napoli (h), Leipzig (a), AEK Athens (h), Lens (a)
- Liverpool: Atlético Madrid (h), Inter (a), Porto (h), Club Brugge (a), Villarreal (h), Fenerbahce (a), Lens (h), Lask (a)
- Arsenal: Real Madrid (h), Bayern Munich (a), Borussia Dortmund (h), Real Betis (a), Lille (h), Napoli (a), Sabah (h), Slavia Prague (a)
- Aston Villa: PSG (h), Barcelona (a), Dortmund (h), Club Brugge (a), Fenerbahce (h), Galatasaray (a), Viking (h), Slavia Prague (a)
- Manchester United: Bayern Munich (h), Roma (h), RB Leipzig (h), Sabah (h), Como (a), Atlético Madrid (a), Sporting (a), Villarreal (a)
The argument doing the rounds in Kampala is whether Arsenal finally have the steel to get over the line, or whether another draw this brutal means the same familiar story is coming.
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Source: The Guardian
