Sporting drawn with Arsenal as Europa League group is determined

Sporting know that they will face a difficult trip to the Emirates this season in their bid to advance in the Europa League, drawn into group E alongside the English Premier League outfit.

Arsenal, the second-highest ranked side in the entire competition - behind Sevilla - reached the Europa League semi-final last season, knocked out by eventual winners Atletico Madrid, the same team that caused Sporting to exit the competition in the quarter final stage.

In addition to Arsenal, Sporting also face the unenviable trip Azerbaijan, with Qarabag the side drawn from pot 3 into group E alongside the Lisbon club. The final side in the group will be Ukrainian side Vorskla Poltava, who finished third in the Ukrainian Premeir League last campaign, only behind Paulo Fonsec'as Shakhtar Donetsk and Dynamo Kiev.

The last time Vorskla competed in the Europa League group stage was in 2011, where they finished last in their group, behind Copenhagen, Hannover and Standard Liege.

GROUP E: Arsenal, Sporting CP, Qarabag, FC Vorskla.