France, Oct. 7 -- Arsenal will launch the defence of their Champions League crown on Tuesday night with a game in the new-look format against eight-time winners Lyon.

The north Londoners overcame Barcelona in Lisbon in May to claim the crown for the first time in the last game of the competition under the old group stage format.

From Tuesday, the initial phase of European club football's most prestigious tournament becomes an 18-team league.

Clubs will play six matches - three at home and three away - and the top four will qualify automatically for the quarter-finals in a configuration similar to the men's competition..

The sides that finish fifth to 12th will advance to a two-leg knockout play-off round to decide the four other last ...