Wenger - Sparta will be stronger this time around

Wenger - Sparta will be stronger this time around
By Richard Clarke

Arsène Wenger believes Sparta Prague will be a stronger proposition in the Champions League this year than when Arsenal played them in 2005/06.

This morning’s draw for the Third Qualification Round threw up a repeat of the group games from two years ago. Back then, Arsenal won easily on both occasions and, famously, the away tie saw Thierry Henry break Ian Wright’s goal-scoring record for the Club.

However, speaking exclusively to Arsenal TV Online in Amsterdam this afternoon, Wenger argued it will be a tougher task this time around.

“I feel they will be different,” said the Frenchman. “They have rebuilt their squad now and they seem to be stronger.

“I watched the draw live on television and you could see every tie is difficult now. 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.

Arsenal TV Online subscribers can hear the full audio interview now where Arsène Wenger talks about his side’s chances in the Champions League this season, comparisons between the 2006 qualification and his recollections of Henry’s night in Prague back in 2005.

Wenger - Eduardo relieved to get work permit

By Richard Clarke

If you look in the record books it will say Eduardo started his Arsenal career on July 3, 2007. In fact it began yesterday.

Arsène Wenger was at Soho Square in the afternoon putting forward the Croatian’s case over his work permit application. The Arsenal manager then flew to the Netherlands to guide his team through their opening game of the Amsterdam Tournament.

An hour or so before kick-off news filtered through that Eduardo had been granted his papers. An hour or so after kick-off the 24-year-old nodded home his first strike for his new club.

“Yes, Eduardo got his work permit today and celebrated with his first goal,” said Wenger after the 2-1 win over Lazio.

“When we got the news you could see it was important to him because there was relief on his face.

“He could have scored two or three in the game tonight. He is good in the air for a small guy and could have got another header too.

“I am pleased because it is always good that this period [without a goal] does not last too long. Otherwise people start to question your capability to score.”