Russia should qualify from its Euro 2012 qualifying group in first place, Arsenal forward Andrei Arshavin said after the team were paired with Ireland, Slovakia, Macedonia, Armenia and Andorra.

"Life has proved that any opponent is a tough one for Russia," Arshavin said on his official website. "But I think we have the ability to get out of the group in first place."

Arshavin, one of the stars of Euro 2008, was devastated when Russia failed to make the 2010 World Cup, losing to tiny Slovenia in a play-off. He told Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger after the loss that he was temporarily unable to face playing football.

Russia's coach Guus Hiddink attended the draw in Warsaw on Sunday, despite doubts over his long-term future with the team. Russia, at number 13 in the latest FIFA rankings, were seeded in pot one for the draw.

'The fact that Russia is pot one means everyone can consider us as favourites," the Dutch trainer said.

Qualifiers begin this September and run until November 2011. The nine winners and the best runner-up will qualify directly for the finals. The other eight runners-up will take part in home-and-away playoffs.

Ukraine and Poland automatically qualify for the finals as hosts.

EURO 2012 QUALIFYING GROUPS

Group A: Germany, Turkey, Austria, Belgium, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan

Group B: Russia, Slovakia, Republic of Ireland, FYR Macedonia, Armenia, Andorra

Group C: Italy, Serbia, Northern Ireland, Slovenia, Estonia, Faroe Islands

Group D: France, Romania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Belarus, Albania, Luxembourg

Group E: Holland, Sweden, Finland, Hungary, Moldova, San Marino

Group F: Croatia, Greece, Israel, Latvia, Georgia, Malta

Group G: England, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Wales, Montenegro

Group H: Portugal, Denmark, Norway, Cyprus, Iceland

Group I: Spain, Czech Republic, Scotland, Lithuania, Liechtenstein

MOSCOW, February 8 (RIA Novosti)