Arsenal FC UEFA CL: Who Will Test Gunners? Rubin Kazan, Udinese or Dynamo Kiev

Last season has not been the best of seasons for Arsenal: From Premier League title challengers to UEFA Champions League qualifiers and many Arsenal fans would be pondering as to how it all happened. 

Arsenal manager already has a busy preseason ahead of him with Arsenal fans voicing their opinion on signing experienced defenders and not to forget the Cesc Fabregas saga that has loomed for a few seasons now.

Arsene Wenger has another headache if you might call it, the extra pressure of playing Champions League qualifiers, with Russian outfit Rubin Kazan, Serie A club Udinese and Ukranian Dynamo Kiev to be Arsenal's challengers.

Rubin Kazan, as we've seen in the Champions League have been tough opponents over the last two seasons. They've managed to beat Barcelona twice and it would be interesting to see how Arsenal would fare if they draw them in the qualifiers, and a trip to Russia could be quite tricky against a side who do not shy away when it comes to playing attacking football.

Udinese, on the other hand have played well last season in the Serie A and star winger Alexis Sanchez is already in talks with a number of clubs. By the time Arsenal play them, it is most likely that Sanchez would have signed for either Barcelona, Manchester United and Manchester City who are the front runners to sign the Chilean sensation and it could weaken the Italian time to some extent.

Dynamo Kiev are the weakest of the three, but it would be stupid to bet against the Ukrainians who've got what it takes to cause an upset.

From Arsenal's point of view, Arsenal would most likely prefer to play Dynamo Kiev, and although they'd be favourites against all three sides, Champions League has from time to time shown us that nothing can be taken for granted.

Champions League excitement has come a little early for the Gunners next season, not an ideal situation but still a very exciting one.