Champions League: Arsenal club secretary David Miles happy with Monaco tie
Monday 15 December 2014 12:52, UK
Arsenal club secretary David Miles has admitted being "pleased" with the Champions League last-16 draw after being handed a tie against Arsene Wenger's former club Monaco.
The Frenchman admitted beforehand that he would welcome the prospect of facing Monaco, whom he managed between 1987 and 1994.
And Miles echoed Wenger's comments with the north Londoners set to take on the Ligue 1 outfit at the Emirates in the first leg before travelling to the Principality for a place in the quarter-finals.
"We're delighted to be here," Miles told Sky Sports. "When you think it's 17 consecutive years in the Champions League, it's 12 consecutive years getting to the group stage, I think that's a fantastic achievement for Arsene Wenger and his players.
"We're very much looking forward to the games and once again being at the top table of European football."
The Gunners, who finished second to Borussia Dortmund in Group D, have struggled to progress to the last eight of the competition in recent seasons after being handed tough opposition.
Good chance
But Miles feels the 2006 finalists have a good chance of making it through this time around.
It's the first time we're going to play Monaco in a competitive match so I'm sure Arsene (Wenger) will be delighted to go back to one of his former teams.
"We've picked some of the biggest teams in Europe over the past five years," he added, "but we're certainly not taking anything for granted. They've earned the right to be here as we have and we're looking forward to two really good games.
"It's the first time we're going to play Monaco in a competitive match so I'm sure Arsene will be delighted to go back to one of his former teams.
"The fans have got high expectations for us and as you rightly say it would be great to get through this round of 16 and then press on and kick on from there.
"We're taking nothing for granted but pleased with the draw."
The round-of-16 first-leg match in will be played on February 25 and the return match at Stade Louis II on March 17.
The final for Europe's elite club competition will take place in Berlin's Olympic stadium next June.
