â¢Arsenal will face one of the five unseeded teams to make it through the third qualifying round â¢Unseeded teams: PSV Eindhoven, Metalist Kharkiv, Fenerbahce, Real Sociedad, Pacos de Ferreira, PAOK Thessaloniki, FC Salzburg, FC Nordjaelland, Grasshoppers Zurich, Zulte Waregem http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/champions-league-play-offs-the-lowdown
Besiktas are banned, too which means the 4th placed Turkish team will probably replace them (whoever they are). Fingers crossed we get one of Salzburg, Nordjaelland, Grasshoppers or Zulte Waregem.
Yes, it will be Bursaspor for the Turkish slot. A slightly easier prospect than the other (banned) Turkish alternatives, but not by much.
The first qualifying round started last week,so I assume it'll be after the second qualifying round.I'm sure I read somewhere it's August 9th P.s. Bala Town are Wales' representatives in this years CL
Whatever Turkish team is there wouldn't worry me, we might lose 1-0 over there but they're notoriously poor away from home.
Real Sociedad could be a tricky opponent. A good team and one that can give us a decent test. We would also welcome back Carlos Vela, who had a great time in Spain.
Let's hope we get Grasshoppers Zurich. I don't need another tense one like the Udinese one 2 seasons ago.
Third qualifying round draw was done today: Nordsjælland Denmark vs Russia Zenit Saint Petersburg Red Bull Salzburg Austria vs Turkey Fenerbahçe PAOK Greece vs Ukraine Metalist Kharkiv PSV Eindhoven Netherlands vs Belgium Zulte Waregem Lyon France vs Switzerland Grasshopper CZ
Fenerbahce are apparently unbanned for the duration of qualifying, but may be tossed out of the competition up to the day before the CL draw, pending court decisions. Total bollocks if you ask me.