Gunners satisfied with Sparta draw

Arsenal club secretary David Miles admitted their Champions League third-round qualifying draw could have been worse after they were paired with Sparta Prague.

Arsene Wenger’s side will travel to the Czech capital to meet Sparta on August 14 or 15 with the return leg at Emirates Stadium on August 28 or 29 as midfielder Tomas Rosicky gets the chance to face his former side.

Miles told Sky Sports News: “I think we will be pleased with that, we have played Sparta Prague four times in the last six years in the group stages of the Champions League and are very much looking forward to the trip to Prague.”

Asked if the tie could have been worse, he responded: “It could have been - logistically, playing-wise, so we are going to be quietly pleased with that. We have a good working relationship with Sparta and it’s the same faces we know as two years ago.”

The Gunners triumphed in both meetings when the sides met in the Champions League group phase in 2005/2006, winning 2-0 in Prague as Thierry Henry broke the club’s goalscoring record and 3-0 back at Highbury.

But with lucrative entry to that stage at stake Miles insists the club will be taking the game very seriously.

He said: “We won’t take anything for granted and (manager) Arsene (Wenger) with his network of scouts will be doing his homework on Sparta Prague, he is very thorough in that respect.

“It is important for the club both financially and for the supporters to be playing in the group stages where you have got a guaranteed three home games and away games.

“It is paramount, the fans love to see European football at Emirates and hopefully we will deliver yet again.”