Wenger cautiously optimistic about draw

Arsène Wenger has warned his Arsenal side that they face a tough task against Sparta Prague in the Champions League qualifying round, but is confident his young side has enough quality to progress.

Arsenal have never failed to beat Sparta Prague in four European fixtures, however both sides are significantly different compared with the last time they met.

Two years ago, Arsenal reached the Champions League final, beating Sparta twice along the way Thierry Henry breaking the club's goalscoring record in the away fixture.

Sparta on the other hand, have come off the back of a domestic league and cup double winning seaon - the first in that country since 1993.

"I feel they will be different," Arsène Wenger said. "They have rebuilt their squad now and they seem to be stronger.

"But I feel Sparta Prague has two advantages for us. Firstly it is not too far. Secondly we are likely to play [the first leg] on the Wednesday and it could have caught us to play on the Tuesday.

"Overall we know that the rest is just about putting in a good performance. Sparta have a good knowledge of the competition. When there is an experience in the opposition club it is always a difficult game but we still feel we have enough quality to have a good chance to go through.

"We want to be in the Champions League, so this tie is very important."

Sparta are also fancying their chances. Tomas Postulka, the Sparta goalkeeper, believes Arsenal are currently a weakened proposition.

"Arsenal are totally different to before," he said. "Thierry Henry and Fredrik Ljungberg have left and there are young players. It is certainly better to play against them now than in the past.

"I would say the new stadium does not suit them yet. It is better to play against them rather than to play against Liverpool, who are a consolidated team."

Midfielder Cesc Fabregas knows how much is riding on this fixture and will be motivated by the Sparta player's words. "The Champions League qualifier is the most important game of the season right now," he stressed.

"Not getting into the Champions League would be a disaster for Arsenal, definitely. We have to be there because, if we aren't, the season will not be the same."

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