We'll win Champions League one day: Wenger

Arsene Wenger answers questions during a press conference in Prague. Arsenal resume their latest assault on the Champions League with Wenger insisting that his side are good enough to win Europe's most glittering prize.

Arsenal resume their latest assault on the Champions League in Prague with coach Arsene Wenger insisting that his side are good enough to win Europe's most glittering prize.

Victory against Sparta would give the Gunners three wins in three Group B matches this season, a record which has put them comfortably on track for a place in the knockout round.

Success on the continent has also taken on a more pressing purpose with defeat at West Brom on Saturday leaving them in eighth place in the Premiership table, 14 points behind leaders Chelsea.

"I feel it is vital to keep the club at the level where it is at the moment," said Wenger whose team has never got beyond the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

"It (Champions League) gives you that plus of income which puts us up to a competitive level with the other teams. I feel if you want to be really comfortable, you have to qualify every year.

"It is extra pressure, but that is part of the game for everybody. The minimum criteria for us is to qualify in the group stage every year, but it is not the minimum that I judge good enough - I want to do much better.

"I would be unfulfilled if I don't do it, but I will do it. I am convinced I will do it.

"Is it this year? Next year? In two years? We will do it at some stage because things will just go for you."

Arsenal go to the Czech Republic at the best possible time.

The struggling Czechs, who lost to Swiss minnows Thun last time out, have sacked manager Jaroslav Hrebik and replaced him with former striker Stanislav Griga.

Sparta have also been fined 32,000 euros by UEFA after their fans were punished for racist chanting in their Champions League tie against Ajax.

The Czech champions will also have to face Arsenal with part of their stadium closed following the racist remarks aimed at Ajax striker Ryan Babel in the September 1-1 draw.

Wenger believes the current format of Europe's elite club competition can favour the lesser-fancied sides, with Liverpool emerging triumphant last season after scraping through their qualifying group.

"You can be a normal team and win the European Cup, but you cannot be a normal team and win the Premiership," the Arsenal manager observed.

"It the Champions League is less predictable. It is more of real cup formula.

"What you see in the first group stage is there is no surprise. Then there is a surprise in every round, because over just one or two games, the teams are more levelled, and the form of the day makes a difference."

Arsenal certainly know how to make the best of their talents in a straight knockout, domestically at least, as their fine recent FA Cup record shows.

However, the Frenchman admits should he be faced with a conflict of interests between the world's oldest cup competition and European success later on this season, there can be only one "priority."

"Because we have always done so well in the FA Cup, we have put too much energy maybe on the FA Cup at the moment where it conflicts with the Champions League," the Gunners boss said.

"Having won it four times, if I come into a situation where I have to chose between the FA Cup and the Champions League, of course I would give priority to the Champions League."

Although Wenger's selection worries may be eased by the return of England centre-half Sol Campbell from his hamstring problem in time for Tuesday, he maintains skipper Thierry Henry will not be rushed back from a groin injury which has sidelined the French striker since early September.

"It is a gamble I don't want to take if I am not completely convinced," Wenger said.