The eagerly-awaited UEFA Champions League group stage schedule has officially been released, handing English clubs their routes as they chase continental glory this season.

Arsenal, last year’s standout Premier League performer after reaching the semi-finals, kick off their campaign with a tough away clash against Athletic Club in Bilbao. The Gunners will be relieved to host Kairat Almaty at the Emirates rather than travelling nearly 7,000 miles to Kazakhstan — a journey that could have drained both energy and momentum.

For Chelsea, the road to what they hope will be a third European crown begins with a return to historic ground — the Allianz Arena in Munich, where they lifted their first Champions League title in 2012. The Blues, however, have also been handed one of the longest trips in the group stage, travelling to Azerbaijan to face Qarabag in November.

Elsewhere, both Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United have been drawn against the defending champions Paris Saint-Germain, with daunting fixtures awaiting them at the Parc des Princes.

With travel plans set and challenges confirmed, English sides now know exactly what lies ahead as they aim to write another chapter of European success.