Champions League 2016/17: 5 things we can expect in the group stage

4) Arsenal and PSG to cruise into the Round of 16 – but who will top?

Arsenal have never failed to reach the knockout stage since the inception of the new format in 2003/04

For the first time, in a long time, Arsenal have a favourable draw in the group stages – as long as they don’t mess it up like they usually do. Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain are the single biggest threat to the Gunners topping the group and avoiding a heavyweight in the Round of 16 – something they have failed to do in recent years, ending up with Barcelona and Bayern Munich twice.

In what could be Arsene Wenger’s final season, the north London club will target top spot in Group A but they face off with PSG on Matchday 1. The French club may be domestic powerhouses but have so far failed to make a dent in Europe.

Both teams are struggling defensively in the league and we could see goals galore if they carry the same form into Europe. PSG simply do not look the formidable side without Zlatan Ibrahimovic spearheading the attack and Edinson Cavani is yet to get going this season.

Arsenal, too, are slowly getting back on track following the return of their key players to the starting lineup. But they look far from an unbeatable side that can take the league and Europe by storm.

But up against FC Basel and Ludogorets Razgrad, Arsenal and PSG should comfortably sail through.