British clubs discover opponents in Europa League last 32

Arsenal

The Gunners’ tie is likely to pile more pressure on manager Mikel Arteta, as they’ve been drawn against Portuguese giants, Benfica. Domestically, Arsenal have been woeful this campaign, but their performances in Europe have a shining light on their season – as the North London club played six and won six, to top a fairly easy Group B. As the seeded side, Arsenal will travel to Lisbon first, before hosting at the Emirates. It was in the 1991-92 campaign that Arsenal and Benfica last faced each other in European competition – and on that occasion, the Portuguese club ran out 4-2 aggregate winners after extra time, in a European Cup second round clash. Benfica are currently second in the Primeira Liga and there’s no doubt Gunners’ fans were hoping for an easier tie.

Leicester City

The Foxes have made the Europa League final 32 for the first time in their history, and should feel fairly satisfied with their draw, against Czech side, Slavia Prague. Last season, Prague finished bottom of their Champions League group, without a win – but have pedigree in the Europa League. They lost to Chelsea in the quarter-finals during the 2018-19 season, and are former semi-finalists.Prague are unbeaten so far domestically, and top the Czech First League. However, Leicester are in reasonable form themselves, challenging at the top of the Premier League – and they should have what it takes to overcome their opponents.

Manchester United

Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s side were eliminated from the Champions League and have been handed a tricky tie against the current La Liga leaders, Real Sociedad. The Spanish club have lost just one league game all season, and finished as runners up to Napoli in Group F of the Europa League. The first leg will be played in the Basque Country, with the second, a week later at Old Trafford.
The two last met in the 2013-14 Champions League group stage, with United winning the home fixture, and a 0-0 draw concluding the reverse. Last season, United lost their semi-final against record-holding winners, Sevilla, while of course, they famously won the Europa League in 2017 under José Mourinho.

Rangers

Rangers were paired with Royal Antwerp, who finished second to Spurs in the group stages, and the Scottish Premiership leaders must fancy their chances over the Belgian side.
Steven Gerrard’s side are unbeaten domestically, and are 13 points clear of bitter rivals Celtic at the top of the table. Rangers also finished top of Group D, without a defeat in the earlier stages of the Europa League. Meanwhile, Antwerp are having a torrid time in their respective league, sitting in seventh, and last season, they exited the Europa League at the play-off stage – their first involvement in Europe for 25 years.

Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs, too, should feel fairly confident of their chances of progression – as they face Wolfsberger of the Austrian Bundesliga. This season marked the first time that Wolfsberger had qualified for Europe, after finishing third in the league, but so far this campaign, they’ve been unable to reach such heights and currently sit in mid-table.

While Tottenham are on the road for their first leg, the second leg in North London will be played 24-hours before the other fixtures, due to their rivals, Arsenal, also playing at home. After the disappointment of losing the 2018-19 Champions League final to Premier League rivals Liverpool, Spurs will be hoping for European glory this campaign, and with plenty of success already, Mourinho must be the man to give it to them.