arsenal fc - sk slavia praha...• arsenal have won their last seven league matches and are one of...

Contents7 - UEFA information1 - Match background8 - Match-by-match lineups2 - Match facts9 - Competition facts3 - Squad list10 - Team facts4 - Head coach11 - Competition information5 - Match officials12 - Legend6 - Domestic information

Match background

Arsenal FC have enjoyed a storming start to the Premier League season and that form has carried into their UEFAChampions League campaign with two wins in as many games. Now they will hope to take an ever firmer grip onGroup H as they welcome SK Slavia Praha to the Arsenal Stadium.

• On Matchday 1 Arsène Wenger's side comfortably dispatched Sevilla FC 3-0 with Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persieand Eduardo da Silva on target, and then won away to FC Steaua Bucureşti through Van Persie's 76th-minute goal.

• Facing opponents from the Czech Republic has not been an impediment to the English side making progress in thepast and they have already won home and away against Slavia's rivals AC Sparta Praha this season. It came in thethird qualifying round, when two late goals in Prague set the London club up nicely for the return which they won 3-0.

• They faced the same team in the 2000/01 and 2005/06 group stages and, once again, enjoyed wins in every fixture.In the first matchup Arsenal followed a 1-0 away victory by winning 4-2 at home. The scorer of Sparta's second goalwas Tomáš Rosický, who is now starring in Arsenal colours and who scored in the 3-0 second-leg victory against hisformer club mentioned above.

• Five years later Thierry Henry's two goals in Prague secured another convincing group success for his team whiletaking him to a famous landmark, setting a club record of 186 goals in all competitions, beating Ian Wright's total inhis 303rd game. The home fixture went in the London club's favour 3-0 with Henry back on target and Van Persienotching two late on.

• Slavia's debut season on Europe's grandest stage got off to a great start when they secured a 2-1 home win overSteaua with Zdeněk Šenkeřík and Tijani Belaid on the scoresheet. However they were then reminded of how toughthe competition can be at this level with a 4-2 defeat in Spain against Sevilla FC. Daniel Pudil cancelled out Sevilla'searly goal but the home team then proceeded to carve out a three-goal advantage before David Kalivoda scored inadded time for the visitors.

• In the UEFA Cup Slavia have faced English opponents on four occasions and have managed just one victory. Lastseason they visited north London for a first round tie with Tottenham Hotspur FC and were defeated 1-0, the samescore as when they lost the home leg two weeks before.

Last updated 22.10.2007 22:55:35CETMatch background 1

Arsenal FC - SK Slavia PrahaMATCH PRESS KITArsenal Stadium, LondonTuesday 23 October 2007 - 20.45 CETGroup H - Matchday 3

• In the 1999/00 quarter-final they recorded a 2-1 win over Leeds United AFC but as they had lost the away leg 3-0it was not enough to remain in the competition.

• Slavia midfielder Vladimír Šmicer is no stranger to English football either, having spent six seasons at Liverpool FC.On target in their 2005 UEFA Champions League final triumph, Šmicer had made his last Premier League appearancefor the club 17 days earlier as the Reds lost 3-1 at Arsenal, with Fabregas among the scorers.

Match facts

Arsenal

• Four Arsenal players have appeared in all four UEFA Champions League games so far this season, includingqualifying: Kolo Touré, Gaël Clichy, Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie.

• Arsène Wenger celebrated his 58th birthday the day before the Slavia game, on 22 October.

• Emmanuel Adebayor is within one booking of a suspension having collected yellow cards on Matchdays 1 and 2.

• Arsenal stayed top of the Premier League on Saturday afternoon with a 2-0 win at home against Bolton WanderersFC. Arsène Wenger's side initially struggled to find a way through a determined visiting defence but finally took thelead in the 67th minute, Touré breaking the deadlock with a low free-kick. Substitute Tomáš Rosický added a secondgoal eleven minutes from time, tapping in a cross from fellow replacement Theo Walcott.

• "Bolton upset us in previous years and they were very resilient today," said Wenger. "We have good momentumnow, and I liked today that the team built the success with patience, with quite a high tempo and mastered our nerves.At some stages it became hectic, and it was important we didn't lose our heads. We kept calm and played like wewant to play, and we did that well. For me that was a good sign of maturity."

• The Arsenal manager was without Van Persie and Philippe Senderos, who picked up knee and back injuries oninternational duty with the Netherlands and Switzerland respectively, although William Gallas recovered from a groinstrain to make his first Arsenal appearance since 19 August. Eduardo da Silva (groin) and Rosický (hamstring) werealso back from injury.

• Arsenal have won their last seven league matches and are one of two clubs who are still unbeaten in the Englishtop flight – the other is Liverpool. They are also the only club to have scored in every Premier League match thisseason.

• The London club are undefeated in 16 league games; their longest run since the club record sequence of 49 endedin a 2-0 defeat at Manchester United FC on 24 October 2004.

• Arsenal are unbeaten in 14 matches in all competitions and have won 13 of those games. With 21 goals in nineleague matches, they are also the Premier League’s top scorers.

• Touré is the only Arsenal player who has played all 810 minutes in the league this season.

• Five days after winning at Steaua, Arsenal consolidated their position at the top of the Premier League, althoughthey had to survive a scare before earning a 3-2 home win against Sunderland AFC. Van Persie and Senderos bothfound the net in the first 13 minutes, only for Ross Wallace (24) to halve Sunderland's deficit. Kenwyne Jones madeit 2-2 two minutes into the second period, but Van Persie secured Arsenal's victory with eleven minutes to go.

• Arsenal were boosted by the return to full training of Jens Lehmann and Gallas after elbow and groin injuriesrespectively, although neither featured against Sunderland. Rosický (hamstring), Alexandre Song (calf) and Eduardo(groin) were also absent.

Last updated 22.10.2007 22:55:35CETMatch facts 2

Tuesday 23 October 2007 - 20.45 CETArsenal FC - SK Slavia PrahaArsenal Stadium, LondonMATCH PRESS KIT

• "It's too early to [talk about winning the league] but what is a good sign is when you are 2-0 up, they come back to2-2, you win it – that means there is a great strength and resilience in the team, and you don't panic," said Wenger."The potential is there to be very good but the competition in the Premier League – today we played against Sunderlandwho are down in the league and we still had problems – means we have to keep very humble and hardworking foreach other."

• Touré is also keen to ensure Arsenal do not get carried away with their impressive opening to the campaign, saying:"We just focus on what we are doing well, enjoy it and make our fans happy. At the end we will see how far we go.The season is really long. Every time we need to come back and win, we do it properly. Last season we were playingwell but not scoring goals. That's the big difference."

• Adebayor, who has scored six goals in his first six league games this season, puts his flying start down to a summerinjury, explaining: "I had an injury when I was [at the pre-season training camp] in Austria and this frustrated me agreat deal. When I came back I was really angry and hungry. This is one of the reasons that explains why I have hadsuch a good start."

• A number of Arsenal players were in international action on 12 and 13 October, with Lehmann keeping a cleansheet as Germany earned a goalless draw in the Republic of Ireland to ensure progress from Group D, becoming thefirst side to qualify for UEFA EURO 2008™.

• Eduardo scored the only goal of Croatia's home game with Israel to keep his side top of Group E, Fabregas andNicklas Bendtner were on opposing sides as Spain won 3-1 in Denmark, Bacary Sagna started France's 6-0 winin the Faroe Islands in which Lassana Diarra was a late substitute and Aleksandr Hleb appeared for Belarus in a1-0 home loss to Luxembourg.

• Adebayor's Togo side lost 2-0 at home to Mali, ending their hopes of qualifying for next year's African Cup of Nations,while Gilberto played 90 minutes as Brazil opened their 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign with a goallessdraw in Colombia.

• Senderos played the first half of Switzerland's 3-1 friendly victory against co-hosts Austria, while Walcott helpedEngland to a 1-0 home win against Montenegro in UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying Group 3.

• Four days later Gallas made his return from a groin injury that had kept him on the sidelines since August as Franceovercame Lithuania 2-0 in Nantes with former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry scoring twice in the last ten minutes.Diarra also started the game as France moved top of Group B. In Group F, Bendtner helped Denmark to a 3-1 homewin against Latvia.

• In Group G, Van Persie was forced off on the hour having twisted his right knee as the Netherlands overcameSlovenia 2-0 to get their qualification hopes back on track.

• Gilberto featured as Brazil overcame Ecuador 5-0 to continue their unbeaten start to qualifying for the 2010 WorldCup finals.

• In friendly action, Łukasz Fabiański played 90 minutes as Poland lost 1-0 at home to Hungary, Fabregas featuredas a late substitute in Spain's goalless draw in Finland and Touré and Emmanuel Eboué started the Ivory Coast's3-2 loss in Austria.

• On 16 October Eduardo appeared for Croatia in their 3-0 friendly win against Slovakia and Walcott helped England'sUnder-21 side to a 3-0 qualifying Group 3 victory in the Republic of Ireland.

• Van Persie's knee injury is expected to keep him sidelined for up to a month. Wenger said: "We will know later howbad it is but the early signs are he will not be able to perform for us the next four weeks. It is a big blow. I hope he willbe back soon."



• There was better news for Arsenal as Denilson has signed what the club described as "a new long-term deal".Wenger added: "I am pleased, very pleased. Denilson is a great player. For me, he is underrated. He does not getall the praise his performances suggest but that will come very quickly."

• Gilberto has been speaking about his pride at captaining Brazil to victory in the Copa América in the summer. "Itwas fantastic for me," he said despite missing the 3-0 final win against Argentina through suspension. "It was theproudest moment for me because it was the first time I was captain of my country and we won a big competition. Noone expected us to win it but we regrouped and that made the difference."

• Arsenal have commissioned sculptor Etienne Millner to craft a bronze bust of Wenger, which will be on display atthe Arsenal Stadium when it is completed at the end of the year. "The bust is in recognition of the truly fantastic jobwhich Arsène has done at Arsenal Football Club," said chairman Peter Hill-Wood.

• Arsenal launched a Chinese language version of their official club website on 9 October.

• Arsenal LFC won through to the UEFA Women's Cup quarter-finals last week as they topped second qualifyinground Group B1. Staging the mini-tournament, the holders overcame Kazakhstan's Alma KTZH 4-0 and Austria's SVNeulengbach 7-0 before drawing 3-3 with ASD CF Bardolino Verona to pip the Italian side to first place on goaldifference. The holders now take on Olympique Lyonnais in the quarter-finals over two legs next month.

• The Arsenal Stadium is one of six grounds vying to host the 2010 and 2011 UEFA Cup finals: the Arena AufSchalkein Gelsenkirchen, Barcelona's Olímpico de Montjuic, the Arena Hamburg, Dublin's Lansdowne Road and the NationalStadium in Bucharest are the others. A final decision is expected to be made by the UEFA Executive Committee atits meeting in Liechtenstein in March.

Slavia

• Six Slavia players have appeared in all six UEFA Champions League games so far this season, including qualifying:Martin Vaniak, František Dřížďal, Petr Janda, Marek Suchý, Matej Krajčík and Stanislav Vlček.

• Mickaël Tavares celebrates his 25th birthday two days after the visit to Arsenal, on 25 October.

• Ladislav Volešák is within one booking of a suspension having collected yellow cards on Matchdays 1 and 2.

• Slavia beat FK Viktoria Plzen 3-0 on Friday to cement their lead at the top of the Czech 1. Liga. Vlček opened thescoring on three minutes from Zdeněk Šenkeřík's cross before Suchý added the second with a header two minutesinto the second half. Vlček secured the points on the hour with his second from Suchý's assist.

• Slavia coach Karel Jarolím rested Daniel Pudil after his midweek efforts with the Czech Republic. Tomáš Jablonskýwas in the starting lineup for the first time in his career in a match that marked Theodor Gebreselassie's leaguedebut.

• Vladimír Šmicer and Dušan Švento remain long-term absentees and Jarolím is also without Martin Latka,Erich Brabec and Petr Janda. None of those five players travelled to London.

• Jarolím said: "The early goal helped us but we did not play well in the first half, leaving too much space in midfield.We reshuffled for the second half and it worked. There were no doubts about the victory after we scored the secondgoal."

• Suchý's goal was his first ever in the league.

• The win was Slavia's eighth in ten league games this season. They have only been beaten once – 2-0 against FCBohemians Praha on 23 September.



• Slavia had bounced back from their Matchday 2 defeat by Sevilla with an impressive 2-0 victory against city rivalsAC Sparta Praha in the Czech 1. Liga on 8 October. Pudil (3) and Šenkeřík (85) were on target as the visitors provedtoo strong for their ten-man opponents and moved clear of FK Teplice at the summit.

• It was Slavia's first win at the Sparta Stadium in 14 years.

• It was a third goal in three games in all competitions for Pudil, who has never scored more than three in a leagueseason.

• Šenkeřík has developed a liking for Sparta and has now savoured victory in each of his last three matches againstthe side. He was in the FK Jablonek 97 team that won 3-0 and 2-1 in 2005, scoring a penalty in the former.

• Slavia's joy was fleeting, however, as their hopes of a first Czech Cup since 2002 evaporate with a 4-3 defeat atfourth division side SK Líšeň a few days later. Šenkeřík, Ladislav Volešák and Tomáš Necid,a penalty, struck forthe visitors but to no avail.

• Jarolím was without seven players due to international commitments: Vlček, Pudil, Suchý, Jakub Diviš,Gebreselassie, Krajčík and Tijani Belaid.

• The club management decided to fine the players for the loss with the promise of reimbursing them if they win theirnext four league games.

• Five of the six league goals Slavia have conceded this term have come in the first or last 15 minutes. They havescored almost half of their 21 goals during the same periods.

• Suchý and Vaniak have played in every minute of Slavia's league campaign this season, while Volešák, Vlček andŠenkeřík have featured in every game.

• Slavia had six players on international duty during the recent batch of UEFA EURO 2008™ and UEFA EuropeanUnder-21 Championship qualifying fixtures and all savoured victory.

• Pudil won only his second cap for the Czech Republic as they secured a famous 3-0 win against Germany on 17October to seal their place in the finals next summer. Vlček came on as a second-half substitute.

• Suchý played a key role as the Czech U21 side earned impressive back-to-back wins against Liechtenstein (4-0)and Armenia (3-0). Gebreselassie was a substitute in both matches.

• Belaid had even more to celebrate as he enjoyed a dream debut for Tunisia, scoring the only goal of the game asthey beat the United Arab Emirates 1-0 in Abu Dhabi.

• Krajčík completed the set as he helped Slovakia to a 7-0 against San Marino on 13 October. He was rested as theside suffered a 3-0 friendly loss to Croatia four days later.

• Slavia could add the famous name on their list as George Weah Jr is on trial at the club. The 20-year-old previouslyturned out for the AC Milan reserve team and Swiss side FC Yverdon-Sports.



Squad list

ArsenalAll-timeCurrent season

UEFAUCLLeagueUCLUCLQGlsPldGlsPldGlsPldGlsPldGlsPldBLAgeDoBNat.PlayerNo

Goalkeepers-94-57-2---1-3710.11.1969GERJens Lehmann1-8---------2218.04.1985POLŁukasz Fabiański21-12-9-7-2-1-3019.05.1977ESPManuel Almunia24

Defenders-24-2-8-2-1-2414.02.1983FRABacary Sagna325124719-2-2-2619.03.1981CIVKolo Touré5-15-1215-2-1-2214.02.1985SUIPhilippe Senderos6258243-3---1-3017.08.1977FRAWilliam Gallas10-17-15-9-2-2-2226.07.1985FRAGaël Clichy22126116-4-1-1-2404.06.1983CIVEmmanuel Eboué27-----------1808.10.1989FRAArmand Traoré30-9-6-----1-2220.11.1984ENGJustin Hoyte31-----------1806.10.1989ENGPaul Rodgers37

Midfielders-9-416-1-1-2111.05.1986FRAAbou Diaby2732328491222-2004.05.1987ESPCesc Fabregas4

105793725-112-2704.10.1980CZETomáš Rosický7-8-8-1-1---2210.03.1985FRALassana Diarra865612818-211-2601.05.1981BLRAleksandr Hleb13-2-1-5---1-1916.02.1988BRADenilson15134-22-9-2-1-2307.03.1984FRAMathieu Flamini16-4-3-4---1-2009.09.1987CMRAlexandre Song17442439-5-1-1-3107.10.1976BRAGilberto19-----------1826.09.1989ENGKieran Gibbs34-----------1828.09.1989ENGMark Randall36

Forwards92111-51111-2425.02.1983CROEduardo97376235722-2-2406.08.1983NEDRobin van Persie1153712567-2-1*2326.02.1984TGOEmmanuel Adebayor25-----3-----1916.01.1988DENNicklas Bendtner26-7-5-5---1-1816.03.1989ENGTheo Walcott32

Coach-147-98---2-2-5822.10.1949FRAArsène Wenger-

Last updated 22.10.2007 22:55:37CETSquad list 1


SlaviaAll-timeCurrent season

UEFAUCLLeagueUCLUCLQGlsPldGlsPldGlsPldGlsPldGlsPldBLAgeDoBNat.PlayerNo

Goalkeepers-4---------3227.06.1975CZEMichal Vorel1-----------2127.07.1986CZEJakub Diviš22-20-2-10-2-4-3704.10.1970CZEMartin Vaniak28

Defenders-7-1-6-1-4-3024.02.1977CZEErich Brabec3-18-2-8-2---3023.02.1977CZEDavid Hubáček4-19-1---1---2328.09.1984CZEMartin Latka6-6-2-8-2-4-2908.08.1978CZEFrantišek Dřížďal12-2-112-1-1-2426.04.1983CZEOndřej Šourek13

Midfielders-5-1-5-1-4-2425.10.1982FRAMickaël Tavares2-18-1-4-1-4-2019.03.1987CZEMichal Švec5-11-2-5-2-4-2005.01.1987CZEPetr Janda876442514---3-3424.05.1973CZEVladimír Šmicer11-----------2611.03.1981BRAMichel Fernando Costa15116122412---2227.09.1985CZEDaniel Pudil16-19-2110-2-4-1929.03.1988CZEMarek Suchý17-14---------2201.08.1985SVKDušan Švento18-16-2-8-2-4-2919.03.1978SVKMatej Krajčík19-4-117-1-1-2326.11.1983SVKMilan Ivana2013122912-1-2005.09.1987TUNTijani Belaid21-5-2210-2-3*2307.04.1984CZELadislav Volešák2331111191114-2525.08.1982CZEDavid Kalivoda25-----5-----2021.06.1987CZETomáš Jablonský26

Forwards1340-2710-224-3126.02.1976CZEStanislav Vlček7-----------1916.03.1988CZEMilan Černý9214--13---1-2828.09.1979BRAGaucho10141121011-3-2619.12.1980CZEZdeněk Šenkeřík14-3---2---2-1813.08.1989CZETomáš Necid24

Coach-26-2---2-4-4923.08.1958CZEKarel Jarolím-

Last updated 22.10.2007 22:55:37CETSquad list 2


Head coach

Arsenal FC: Arsène WengerDate of birth: 22 October 1949Nationality: FrenchPlaying career: AS Mutzig, FC Mulhouse, AS Vauban, RC StrasbourgCoaching career: RC Strasbourg (assistant coach), AS Cannes (assistant coach), AS Nancy-Lorraine, AS MonacoFC, Nagoya Grampus Eight, Arsenal FC

Arsène Wenger was never covered in glory as a player, but has more than made up for that lack of success in histime as a coach, turning Arsenal FC into one of Europe's top teams thanks to his incredible eye for a bargain and anastute footballing mind.

Born in Strasbourg, Wenger worked at RC Strasbourg and AS Cannes before AS Nancy-Lorraine offered him his bigbreak. He impressed sufficiently to be offered the job as coach of AS Monaco FC in 1987. Within a year Monacoscooped the French championship and Wenger the Manager of the Year award. He reportedly turned down Franceand FC Bayern München to continue at Monaco, although he did subsequently move on to Japan and enjoy tremendoussuccess with Nagoya Grampus Eight.

Appointed by Arsenal in September 1996, Wenger became the first foreigner to win the Premiership in 1998, addingthe first of four FA Cup triumphs to boot. The Gunners lost the 2000 UEFA Cup final to Galatasaray SK but claimedanother double in 2002, and in 2004 played some thrilling attacking football en route to becoming the first team since1889 to negotiate a top-flight season unbeaten. Wenger, given the freedom of Islington for his domestic success innorth London, nearly topped all of his achievements by taking Arsenal to the 2006 UEFA Champions League final,only for FC Barcelona to come from behind to win 2-1. SK Slavia Praha: Karel JarolímDate of birth: 23 August 1956Nationality: CzechPlaying career: AFP Pardubice, SK Slavia Praha (three times), AC Dukla Praha, Dukla Tábor, FC Rouen, AmiensSC, FC Viktoria Žižkov, Benešov, CU Bohemians Praha, Česká LípaCoaching career: FK Marila Příbram, SK Slavia Praha, RC Strasbourg, 1. FC Slovácko, Slavia Praha

Karel Jarolím has SK Slavia Praha running through his veins. During his playing days with the club in the 1980s hewas a skilful playmaker with great passing range and superb stamina. After a spell in France he returned in the 1990sand is now back to plot Slavia's first campaign in the UEFA Champions League after pulling off the surprise of thethird qualifying round by knocking out AFC Ajax.

Slavia signed the 20-year-old Jarolím from AFP Pardubice in 1977, but the midfielder won his only title with crosstownrivals AC Dukla Praha during his military service in 1979. The best years of his playing career, though, were withSlavia. He scored twice in 13 appearances for Czechoslovakia before moving to France where he played for FCRouen then Amiens SC during a four-year spell abroad. Jarolím returned home in 1991 and continued to play in thetop flight until he was 39, finishing with 272 league games and 63 goals at that level.

He began his coaching career at FK Marila Příbram in 1997 before returning to Slavia as František Cipro's assistantin 2000. He replaced him as head coach ten games into the season and took Slavia to second place but his contractwas not extended so Jarolím returned to France where he became assistant to Ivan Hašek at RC Strasbourg, helpingthe club to promotion. After one year back in the Czech Republic at 1. FC Slovácko he returned to Slavia in April2005. Both Jarolím's sons are professional players. The younger David plays for Hamburger SV and is a Czechinternational, while Lukáš moved to AC Siena in summer 2007.

Last updated 22.10.2007 22:55:38CETHead coach 1


Match officials

Stefano Farina (ITA)RefereeAlessandro Stagnoli (ITA), Roberto Romagnoli (ITA)Assistant refereesEmidio Morganti (ITA)Fourth officialJim Stjerne Hansen (DEN)UEFA DelegateAndreas Schluchter (SUI)UEFA Referee observer

Referee

UEFAUCLDoBNat.Name281219.09.1962ITAStefano Farina

Stefano Farina followed in the footsteps of compatriots Sergio Gonella, Luigi Agnolin and Piero Ceccarini when hewas appointed to control one of European football's flagship matches – the 2006 UEFA Super Cup.

Born on 19 September 1962, Farina is an insurance agent based in Rome who lists ancient Roman history amonghis hobbies and also doubles up as tennis instructor. He has been refereeing since 1979, made his top-flight debutin 1995 (a game between US Foggia and AC Reggiana) and earned his FIFA badge in 2001. He took charge of hisfirst UEFA Champions League qualifying fixture that same summer and by September 2003 was refereeing gamesin the competition proper as well UEFA Cup ties and UEFA European Championship qualifiers.

Married with one son, Farina topped up his air miles in summer 2004 when overseeing two FIFA World Cup qualifiers;Tahiti against Fiji and New Zealand versus Vanuatu. A regular in the UEFA Champions League for the last twoseasons, three of his four matches last term involved English clubs. Having passed the 200-match mark in Serie A,Farina has also proved adept at controlling two of European football's most passionate derbies in Rome and Milan,so it was no surprise to see him appointed for the all-Spanish Super Cup in which Sevilla FC turned on the style todefeat FC Barcelona 3-0 in Monaco.

UEFA Champions League matches involving teams from the two countries involved in this matchVenueRes.StageComp.DateLondon5-1Arsenal FC - Rosenborg BKGSUCL07.12.2004Manchester0-0Manchester United FC - LOSC Lille MétropoleGSUCL18.10.2005Brussels0-2RSC Anderlecht - Chelsea FCGSUCL23.11.2005Madrid0-1Real Madrid CF - Arsenal FC1/8UCL21.02.2006London2-0Arsenal FC - FC PortoGSUCL26.09.2006Barcelona2-2FC Barcelona - Chelsea FCGSUCL31.10.2006

Other matches - Matches involving teams from either of the two countries involved in this matchVenueRes.StageComp.DateLeeds3-0Leeds United AFC - CS MarítimoR1UCUP27.09.2001Teplice4-0FK Teplice - 1. FC KaiserslauternR3UIC27.07.2002London2-2Fulham FC - HNK Hajduk SplitR1UCUP03.10.2002Bucharest1-1FC Steaua Bucureşti - Liverpool FCR2UCUP06.11.2003Chorzow1-2Poland - EnglandQRWC08.09.2004Middlesbrough2-3Middlesbrough FC - Sporting Clube de

Portugal1/8UCUP10.03.2005

Last updated 22.10.2007 22:55:38CETMatch officials 1


Domestic information

Arsenal FC (Premier League)GoalscorersRes.OpponentDateComp.Van Persie 84(pen), Hleb 902-1Fulham FC (H)12/08/07LeagueVan Persie 181-1Blackburn Rovers FC (A)19/08/07LeagueFabregas 801-0Manchester City FC (H)25/08/07LeagueAdebayor 8(pen), Fabregas 35, Rosický59

3-1Portsmouth FC (H)02/09/07League

Adebayor 65, 90, Fabregas 803-1Tottenham Hotspur FC (A)15/09/07LeagueDiaby 10, Adebayor 25, 50(pen), 79,Fabregas 70

5-0Derby County FC (H)22/09/07League

Bendtner 83, Denilson 892-0Newcastle United FC (H)25/09/07CupVan Persie 131-0West Ham United FC (A)29/09/07League

Lineups: Almunia, Sagna, Touré, Senderos, Clichy, Hleb (Eboué 31), Fabregas, Flamini, Diaby, Adebayor (Gilberto79), Van Persie (Bendtner 88)

Van Persie 7, 80, Senderos 143-2Sunderland AFC (H)07/10/07LeagueLineups: Almunia, Sagna (Eboué 68), Touré, Senderos, Clichy, Hleb, Fabregas, Flamini, Diaby (Walcott 57), Adebayor,Van Persie (Gilberto 85)

Touré 68, Rosický 802-0Bolton Wanderers FC (H)20/10/07LeagueLineups: Almunia, Sagna, Touré, Gallas, Clichy, Eboué (Rosický 62), Fabregas, Flamini, Hleb (Diaby 89), Eduardo(Walcott 62), Adebayor

Liverpool FC (A)28/10/07LeagueManchester United FC (H)03/11/07LeagueReading FC (A)12/11/07LeagueWigan Athletic FC (H)24/11/07LeagueAston Villa FC (A)01/12/07LeagueNewcastle United FC (A)05/12/07LeagueMiddlesbrough FC (A)09/12/07LeagueChelsea FC (H)16/12/07LeagueTottenham Hotspur FC (H)22/12/07LeaguePortsmouth FC (A)26/12/07LeagueEverton FC (A)29/12/07LeagueWest Ham United FC (H)01/01/08LeagueBirmingham City FC (H)12/01/08LeagueFulham FC (A)19/01/08LeagueNewcastle United FC (H)29/01/08LeagueManchester City FC (A)02/02/08LeagueBlackburn Rovers FC (H)09/02/08LeagueBirmingham City FC (A)23/02/08LeagueAston Villa FC (H)01/03/08LeagueWigan Athletic FC (A)08/03/08League

Last updated 22.10.2007 22:55:40CETDomestic information 1


PtsGAGFLDWPldClubsPos.256210189Arsenal FC12331512710Manchester United FC22271521710Manchester City FC3195160459Liverpool FC418121923510Portsmouth FC5188131359Blackburn Rovers FC61881023510Chelsea FC71711162259Newcastle United FC81412133249Aston Villa FC9139124149West Ham United FC1013131351410Everton FC1110221261310Reading FC128161245110Fulham FC13813862210Birmingham City FC14814862210Wigan Athletic FC158191162210Sunderland AFC168181062210Middlesbrough FC177211754110Tottenham Hotspur FC18622563110Derby County FC19516972110Bolton Wanderers FC20



SK Slavia Praha (Liga)

GoalscorersRes.OpponentDateComp.Vlček 541-0FK Jablonec 97 (A)05/08/07LeagueVolešák 50, Šmicer 58(pen)2-0SK Kladno (H)12/08/07LeagueKalivoda 5, Šenkeřík 92-1SK Dynamo Ceské Budéjovice (A)19/08/07LeagueVlček 771-01. FC Brno (H)25/08/07LeagueVlček 22, 39, Gaucho 823-2FK SIAD Most (A)02/09/07LeagueŠenkeřík 20, Gaucho 29, 41, Volešák 704-0Karlovice (A)05/09/07Cup

0-0FC Baník Ostrava (H)15/09/07League0-2FC Bohemians Praha (A)23/09/07League

Belaid 4, 17, Vlček 6, Ivana 16, Pudil 34,Volešák 50, Šourek 89

7-1FC Zlín (H)28/09/07League

Pudil 3, Šenkeřík 852-0AC Sparta Praha (A)08/10/07LeagueLineups: Vaniak, Belaid (Volešák 29), Dřížďal, Hubáček, Krajčík (Jablonský 67), Suchý, Kalivoda, Švec, Pudil, Ivana(Šenkeřík 78), Vlček

Šenkeřík 41, Volešák 77, Necid 873-4Lisen (A)11/10/07CupLineups: Vorel, Gabriel (Černý 24), Šourek, Hubáček, Dřížďal, Volešák, Kopriva (Necid 46), Jablonský, Ivana, Gaucho,Šenkeřík

Vlček 3, 60, Suchý 473-0FC Viktoria Plzen (H)19/10/07LeagueLineups: Vaniak, Hubáček, Dřížďal, Gebre Selassie, Tavares (Necid 83), Jablonský, Suchý, Volešák (Belaid 63),Krajčík, Vlček (Ivana 72), Šenkeřík

FC Slovan Liberec (A)29/10/07LeagueFK Teplice (H)03/11/07LeagueFK Viktoria Žižkov (A)11/11/07LeagueSK Sigma Olomouc (H)24/11/07LeagueFK Mladá Boleslav (H)01/12/07LeagueSK Kladno (A)08/12/07LeagueSK Dynamo Ceské Budéjovice (H)16/02/08League1. FC Brno (A)23/02/08LeagueFK SIAD Most (H)01/03/08LeagueFC Baník Ostrava (A)08/03/08LeagueFC Bohemians Praha (H)15/03/08LeagueAC Sparta Praha (H)19/03/08LeagueFC Zlín (A)22/03/08LeagueFC Viktoria Plzen (A)05/04/08LeagueFC Slovan Liberec (H)12/04/08LeagueFK Teplice (A)19/04/08LeagueFK Viktoria Žižkov (H)26/04/08LeagueSK Sigma Olomouc (A)03/05/08LeagueFK Mladá Boleslav (A)12/05/08LeagueFK Jablonec 97 (H)19/05/08League



PtsGAGFLDWPldClubsPos.2562111810SK Slavia Praha12071322610FK Teplice21971714510FC Baník Ostrava31781232510AC Sparta Praha4166724410SK Sigma Olomouc51591233410FK Mladá Boleslav6131513343101. FC Brno71314834310FC Zlín812161643310SK Kladno912131143310SK Dynamo Ceské Budéjovice101211843310FC Viktoria Plzen11910753210FC Slovan Liberec129201453210FK Viktoria Žižkov138211645110FK SIAD Most14711654110FK Jablonec 9715712554110FC Bohemians Praha16



UEFA information

FARE Action WeekThis week's UEFA Champions League matches provide a platform for the Action Week being staged by UEFA'spartner, the Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) network. Announcements will be made over stadium tannoys,captains will wear "Unite against Racism" armbands, "Unite against Racism" logos will appear on stadium screensand children escorting players on to the pitch will wear "Unite against Racism" T-shirts in all 16 games, in just someof the activities planned to put over the message that racism and intolerance have no place in football.

FARE Action Week is the focus of European football's symbolic stand against racism and discrimination. Activitiesare designed to raise awareness of the issue and underline football's determination to tackle the problem. Initiativesare led by campaigning non-governmental organisations, fan groups, clubs, national associations, ethnic minorities,youth groups and schools. In all, more than 2,000 activities will take place in 37 European countries.

FIFPro memorandumUEFA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the European section of the professional footballers' unionFIFPro. The agreement was signed by UEFA President Michel Platini and the president of FIFPro Division Europe,Philippe Piat, at a ceremony at RSC Anderlecht's Stade Constant Vanden Stock in Brussels on 15 October. Thememorandum takes into account the two bodies' common interest in football, its development in harmony with thoseinvolved in the game and respect for football's core values. It is motivated by a common quest for solutions to thechallenges and threats that the sport's various parties – UEFA, associations, leagues, clubs and players – are facing.

The memorandum covers a wide range of areas as the basis for co-operation including key values such as solidarity,equality and fraternity, the equitable redistribution of wealth, collective rather than individual exploitation of wealth, acommitment to democracy, the need to preserve the values of sport in the face of growing corporate control, and theprotection and development of a large and healthy professional football sector in Europe. Both parties underline theneed for a balance between national and European labour legislation, as well as the specificity of sport – meaningthe integrity of football and competitions, the regularity of competitions and competitive balance. There is also accordabout the benefits of the national-team game as an essential balance to club football.

Stewarding seminarUEFA attended an international seminar on stewarding, hosted in Rome by the Italian interior ministry on 10 October.Representatives from 24 European countries, the European Commission, the Council of Europe, UEFA and Italianfootball clubs were present at the seminar. Michel Platini recently reiterated his policy of zero tolerance towardsviolence and racism in stadiums, calling on clubs to help UEFA by implementing a system of qualified stewards andby only recognising supporters' associations which clearly and unambiguously reject violence and racism.

"Our common task is to protect football, to allow the game to take centre stage and to deliver the perfect matchexperience for everybody involved," said UEFA's head of stadium and security, Marc Timmer. "This can only beachieved by working in partnership, ensuring professional safety management and comfortable, safe stadiums. Inthis respect, UEFA called upon the authorities present to recognise the role of stewarding and the need forwell-equipped, fence-free stadiums."

Key datesThe 2007/08 UEFA Champions League group stage is played over six matchdays – 18/19 September, 2/3 October,23/24 October, 6/7 November, 27/28 November and 11/12 December. The first knockout round will follow over twolegs on 19/20 February and 4/5 March after the draw in Nyon on 21 December. The draw for the quarter-finals,semi-finals and final will be staged on 14 March. The last eight will be played on 1/2 and 8/9 April before the semi-finalson 22/23 and 29/30 April. The 2008 UEFA Champions League final will be held in Moscow on 21 May, before UEFAEURO 2008™ kicks off in Austria and Switzerland on 7 June.

Last updated 22.10.2007 22:55:41CETUEFA information 1


Match-by-match lineups - Group H

PtsGAGFLDWPldClub6040022Arsenal FC3541012Sevilla FC3541012SK Slavia Praha0312002FC Steaua Bucureşti

Stadium, VenueResultMatchDateArsenal Stadium, London3-0Arsenal - Sevilla19.09.2007

Goals: 1-0 Fabregas 27 , 2-0 Van Persie 59 , 3-0 Eduardo 90+2Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Fabregas, Touré, Senderos, Rosický (Diaby 50), Van Persie (L. Diarra 88), Hleb, Flamini,Clichy, Adebayor (Eduardo 83)

Evzena Rošického, Prague2-1Slavia - Steaua19.09.2007Goals: 1-0 Šenkeřík 13 , 1-1 Goian 33 , 2-1 Belaid 63Slavia: Vaniak, Tavares, Brabec (Janda 43), Latka (Hubáček 46), Vlček, Dřížďal, Šenkeřík, Pudil, Suchý, Krajčík,Belaid (Volešák 81)

Steaua Stadium, Bucharest0-1Steaua - Arsenal02.10.2007Goals: 0-1 Van Persie 76Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Fabregas, Touré, Senderos, Van Persie, Hleb, Flamini, Clichy, Adebayor, Eboué (Gilberto73)

Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, Sevilla4-2Sevilla - Slavia02.10.2007Goals: 1-0 Kanouté 8 , 1-1 Pudil 19 , 2-1 Luis Fabiano 27 , 3-1 Escudé 58 , 4-1 Arouna Koné 68 , 4-2 Kalivoda 90+2Slavia: Vaniak, Hubáček, Švec, Vlček, Janda (Kalivoda 63), Dřížďal (Ivana 46), Šourek, Pudil, Suchý, Krajčík, Belaid(Volešák 70)

Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, Sevilla-Sevilla - Steaua23.10.2007Arsenal Stadium, London-Arsenal - Slavia23.10.2007Steaua Stadium, Bucharest-Steaua - Sevilla07.11.2007Evzena Rošického, Prague-Slavia - Arsenal07.11.2007Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, Sevilla-Sevilla - Arsenal27.11.2007Steaua Stadium, Bucharest-Steaua - Slavia27.11.2007Arsenal Stadium, London-Arsenal - Steaua12.12.2007Evzena Rošického, Prague-Slavia - Sevilla12.12.2007

Last updated 22.10.2007 22:55:41CET 1


Competition facts

• UEFA Champions League: Group stage milestones

Holders AC Milan will be keen to avoid becoming the first defending champions to fail to get through a group stagesince the UEFA Champions League began. (This record, like the others, includes the seasons between 1999/00 and2002/03 that featured a second group stage)

In 1992/93, FC Barcelona were the reigning European Champion Clubs' Cup holders and were beaten 4-3 on aggregatein the second round by PFC CSKA Moskva.

S.S. Lazio goalkeeper Marco Ballotta is the oldest player to compete in the UEFA Champions League, taking to thefield at home to Real Madrid CF on 3 October 2007 at the age of 43 years and 183 days. The custodian shatteredthe record held by Alessandro Costacurta, the AC Milan defender who played against AEK Athens FC in the 2006/07season at the age of 40 years and 211 days. Laurent Blanc is the oldest player to score in the competition, aged 36years and 339 days having found the net for Manchester United FC in their 3-2 defeat of Olympiacos CFP on 23October 2002.

Celestine Babayaro is the youngest player to have appeared in the UEFA Champions League. He was 16 years and87 days when he started for RSC Anderlecht against FC Steaua Bucuresti on 23 November 1994. He was then sentoff in the 37th minute.

In 2006/07, PFC Levski Sofia joined 1. FC Košice in being the only team to have played in the UEFA ChampionsLeague and never picked up a point. The Slovakian side have not returned to the competition since losing all sixgames in their only campaign to date in 1997/98. Only five other teams have ever gone through a single group stagecampaign without picking up a point namely SK Rapid Wien (05/06), RSC Anderlecht (04/05), FC Spartak Moskvaand Bayer 04 Leverkusen (02/03, first and second group stage respectively) and Fenerbahçe SK (01/02, first groupstage).

Levski also conceded 17 goals in their six outings last term, just two short of the record number let in during a groupstage set by Ferencvárosi TC (19) in the 1995/96 campaign.

Before their 3-1 win against Sporting Clube de Portugal on Matchday 6 of the 2006/07 campaign, FC Spartak Moskvawent 22 games without a win in the competition, surpassing the unwanted record set by AEK Athens FC on Matchday3 of the same campaign.

The lowest total for a team qualifying from the group stage is seven points. The first to do it, since three points for awin was introduced in 1995/96, were Legia Warszawa that same season before Bayer 04 Leverkusen managed it in1999/00 and Liverpool FC in 2001/02. FC Lokomotiv Moskva and eventual finalists Juventus both progressed withseven points in 2002/03, a feat achieved by Rangers FC and Werder Bremen in 2005/06.

• UEFA Champions League: Did you know?

Domestic champions: This season's competition features 13 domestic league winners from last season, but onlyGroup G of the eight groups features four domestic title-holders - namely PSV Eindhoven, FC Internazionale Milano,Fenerbahçe SK and PFC CSKA Moskva. Alongside the 13 champions, there are ten runners-up and six third-placedfinishers. The holders AC Milan, Arsenal FC, Valencia CF are the only clubs in the group stage to have finished infourth place in their domestic league championship.

Consecutive participations: This season, Manchester United FC have extended their consecutive participation inthe UEFA Champions League to 12, a record in the competition. PSV Eindhoven, Olympiacos CFP and Real MadridCF are making their eleventh consecutive appearances, one ahead of Arsenal FC.

Last updated 22.10.2007 22:55:42CETCompetition facts 1


Knockout streak: In qualifying for the 2006/07 knockout stage, Real Madrid CF surpassed Manchester United FC'srecord of nine consecutive seasons (which ended in 2005/06) in advancing past the group stage. Madrid have featuredin the knockout phase every time since the 1996/97 campaign. Madrid, have won the competition three times in thelast ten years while they advanced as far as the semi-finals twice and the quarter-finals twice. However, in the lastthree seasons their interest in the competition has ended at the first knockout round.

European return: Of all 32 clubs, S.S. Lazio, Rosenborg BK and VfB Stuttgart did not participate in a UEFA clubcompetition during the 2006/07 season.

Past masters: Six clubs competing in the 2007/08 UEFA Champions League were involved in the competition whenit started during the 1992/93 season. Olympique de Marseille were champions, beating AC Milan in the final, whilePSV Eindhoven, PFC CSKA Moskva, FC Porto and Rangers FC all participated in the group stage. In addition, VfBStuttgart, AEK Athens FC and FC Barcelona were knocked out in the two rounds preceding the group stage thatmarked the competition proper.

Long road for debutants: Six clubs have advanced to the group stage from the European Champion Clubs' Cupsecond qualifying round including one of this season's two debutants, SK Slavia Praha. They are joined by Rangers,FC Shakhtar Donetsk, FC Steaua Bucuresti, Beşiktaş JK and Rosenborg as clubs who had to play four matches toclaim their place in the group stage of the competition. A debutant has not won the competition since Juventus in1995/96, the Italian side becoming the third club to achieve this following Olympique de Marseille (1992/93, first UEFAChampions League final) and AFC Ajax (1994/95).

Sevilla FC join Slavia in competing in the UEFA Champions League for the first time, although both clubs have previousexperience of the European Champion Clubs' Cup.

No qualifiers: Of the 32 clubs involved in the group stage, only AS Roma and FC Schalke 04 have yet to play aqualifying round match in order to reach the UEFA Champions League. Roma are making their fifth appearance inthe competition, Schalke their third.

Pedigree: Four of the former winners of the competition since it included a group stage element from the 1992/93season are not participating in this season's UEFA Champions League, namely AFC Ajax (1994/95), Juventus(1995/96), BV Borussia Dortmund (1996/97) and FC Bayern München (2000/01). Of the last ten winners of thecompetition, Real Madrid CF (three), Manchester United FC, AC Milan (two), FC Porto, Liverpool FC and FC Barcelona,only FC Bayern München are not involved. Only two winners from the last ten UEFA Cup finals are not involved inthis season's UEFA Champions League group stage, namely Parma FC (1998/99) and Feyenoord (2001/02). Liverpooland Porto have won both competitions in the past decade, while the remaining UEFA Cup winners in that time areFC Internazionale Milano, Galatasaray SK, Valencia CF, PFC CSKA Moskva and Sevilla FC (two).

• UEFA Champions League: All-time recordsBiggest wins7-0: Juventus v Olympiacos CFP (10.12.2003)7-1: Manchester United FC v AS Roma (10.04.2007)6-0: Olympique de Marseille v PFC CSKA Moskva (17.03.1993)6-0: Leeds United AFC v Beşiktaş JK (26.09.2000)6-0: Real Madrid CF v KRC Genk (25.09.2002)

Most goals in a game8-3: AS Monaco FC v RC Deportivo La Coruña (05.11.2003)7-2: Paris Saint-Germain FC v Rosenborg BK (24.10.2000)7-2: Olympique Lyonnais v Werder Bremen (08.03.2005)Only one team has scored more than five goals in an away game, Manchester United FC, winning 6-2 at Brøndby IFin 1998/99.



Leading scorer in a season12: Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United FC, 2002/03)Kaká finished as top scorer in 2006/07 with ten goals for AC Milan.

Four goals in a matchMarco van Basten (AC Milan 4-0 IFK Göteborg, 25.11.1992)Simone Inzaghi (S.S. Lazio 5-1 Olympique de Marseille, 14.03.2000)Dado Pršo (AS Monaco FC 8-3 RC Deportivo La Coruña, 05.11.2003)Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United FC 4-1 AC Sparta Praha, 03.11.2004)Andriy Shevchenko (Fenerbahçe SK 0-4 AC Milan, 23.11.2005)Of these four-goal hauls, Dado Pršo's against Deportivo was the quickest. He scored his first goal 26 minutes intothe game and his fourth just 23 minutes later.

Fastest goal in a match10.03 secs: Roy Makaay (FC Bayern München 2-1 Real Madrid CF, 07.03.2006)20.07 secs: Gilberto (PSV Eindoven 0-4 Arsenal FC, 25.09.2002)20.12 secs: Alessandro Del Piero (Manchester United FC 3-2 Juventus, 01.10.1997)21.20 secs: Clarence Seedorf (FC Schalke 04 2-2 AC Milan, 28.09.2005)25.40 secs: Marek Kincl (Club Brugge KV 3-2 SK Rapid Wien, 02.11.2005)

Fastest hat-tricks9 mins: Mike Newell (Blackburn Rovers FC 4-1 Rosenborg BK, 06.12.1995)19 mins: Marco Simone (Rosenborg BK 1-4 AC Milan, 25.09.1996)19 mins: Dado Pršo (AS Monaco FC 8-3 RC Deportivo La Coruña, 05.11.2003)21 mins: Sigurd Rushfeldt (Rosenborg BK 3-0 Galatasaray SK, 21.10.1998)21 mins: Simone Inzaghi (S.S. Lazio 5-1 Olympique de Marseille, 14.03.2000)

Youngest players to score17 years, 195 days: Peter Oforiquaye (Rosenborg BK 5-1 Olympiacos CFP, 01.10.1997)17 years, 218 days: Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal FC 5-1 Rosenborg BK, 07.12.2004)17 years, 241 days: Martin Klein (Panathinaikos FC 2-1 AC Sparta Praha, 27.02.2002)17 years, 353 days: Karim Benzema (Olympique Lyonnais 2-1 Rosenborg BK, 06.12.2005)18 years, 61 days: Sammy Kuffour (FC Bayern München 2-2 FC Spartak Moskva, 02.11.1994)18 years, 70 days: Andriy Shevchenko (FC Dynamo Kyiv 1-4 FC Bayern München, 07.12.1994)Peter Oforiquaye became the youngest player to score, but Celestine Babayaro is still the youngest to appear, havingbegun RSC Anderlecht's game against FC Steaua Bucuresti on 23 November 1994, aged 16 years and 87 days.

Appearances: UEFA Champions LeagueNote: This list considers group stage to final only;110 Raúl González (Real Madrid CF)109 Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid CF, Fenerbahçe SK)105 Paolo Maldini (AC Milan)103 David Beckham (Manchester United FC, Real Madrid CF)103 Oliver Kahn (FC Bayern München)99 Luís Figo (FC Barcelona, Real Madrid CF, FC Internazionale Milano)98 Gary Neville (Manchester United FC)97 Ryan Giggs (Manchester United FC)97 Paul Scholes (Manchester United FC)96 Clarence Seedorf (AFC Ajax, Real Madrid CF, AC Milan)90 Andriy Shevchenko (FC Dynamo Kyiv, AC Milan, Chelsea FC)87 Thierry Henry (AS Monaco FC, Arsenal FC, FC Barcelona)85 Claude Makelele (FC Nantes Atlantique, Real Madrid CF, Chelsea FC)85 Fernando Morientes (Real Madrid CF, AS Monaco FC, Liverpool FC, Valencia CF)



Goals: UEFA Champions League

57 Raúl González (Real Madrid CF)52 Ruud van Nistelrooy (PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United FC, Real Madrid CF)47 Andriy Shevchenko (FC Dynamo Kyiv, AC Milan, Chelsea FC)43 Thierry Henry (AS Monaco FC, Arsenal FC, FC Barcelona)39 Filippo Inzaghi (Juventus, AC Milan)37 Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus)

Appearances: UEFA club competition

168 Paolo Maldini (AC Milan)138 Luís Figo (Sporting, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid CF, FC Internazionale Milano)134 Oliver Kahn (Karslruher SC, FC Bayern München)130 Frank de Boer (AFC Ajax, FC Barcelona, Galatasaray SK)127 Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (FC Bayern München, FC Internazionale Milano, Servette FC)127 Clarence Seedorf (AFC Ajax, UC Sampdoria, Real Madrid CF, FC Internazionale Milano, AC Milan)122 Zinédine Zidane (AS Cannes, FC Girondins de Bordeaux, Juventus, Real Madrid CF)121 Alessandro Costacurta (AC Milan)121 Phillip Cocu (SBV Vitesse, PSV Eindhoven, FC Barcelona)121 Roberto Carlos (FC Internazionale Milano, Real Madrid CF, Fenerbahçe SK)

Goals: UEFA club competition

62 Gerd Müller (FC Bayern München)60 Filippo Inzaghi (Parma FC, Juventus, AC Milan)60 Andriy Shevchenko (FC Dynamo Kyiv, AC Milan, Chelsea FC)59 Raúl González (Real Madrid CF)56 Eusébio (SL Benfica)56 Ruud van Nistelrooy (PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United FC, Real Madrid CF)52 Henrik Larsson (Feyenoord, Celtic FC, FC Barcelona, Manchester United FC, Helsingborgs IF)51 Thierry Henry (AS Monaco FC, Juventus, Arsenal FC, FC Barcelona)50 Alfredo Di Stéfano (Real Madrid CF)47 Carlos Santillana (Real Madrid CF)

Goals: UEFA Champions League/European Champion Clubs' CupNote: This list considers the all-time goalscorers list in both competitions including all qualifying round matches.

57 Raúl González (Real Madrid CF)56 Andriy Shevchenko (FC Dynamo Kyiv, AC Milan, Chelsea FC)56 Ruud van Nistelrooy (PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United FC, Real Madrid CF)49 Alfredo Di Stéfano (Real Madrid CF)47 Eusébio (SL Benfica)43 Thierry Henry (AS Monaco FC, Arsenal FC, FC Barcelona)43 Filippo Inzaghi (Juventus, AC Milan)

Last updated: 04.10.2007



Team facts

Arsenal FC

UEFA club competition milestones• In the 2005/06 season Arsenal advanced to the European Champion Clubs' Cup final for the first time although theyhad previously been involved in both UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and UEFA Cup finals.

• Arsenal played in three Cup Winners' Cup finals, triumphing in the 1993/94 season when they overcame Parma FC1-0 thanks to Alan Smith's 22nd-minute goal. The other finals ended in narrow defeats by Valencia CF and RealZaragoza in 1979/80 and 1994/95 respectively.

• Following their elimination from the 1999/00 UEFA Champions League at the end of the group stage, Arsenaladvanced to the UEFA Cup final only to lose on penalties to Galatasaray SK at Copenhagen's Parken stadium.

UEFA Champions League milestones• Their finest UEFA Champions League campaign culminated on 17 May 2006 with a 2-1 defeat by FC Barcelona,after Sol Campbell had given the London club the lead in Paris.

UEFA club competition honours• UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1993/94

Ten-year record2006/07: UEFA Champions League - first knockout round2005/06: UEFA Champions League - runners-up2004/05: UEFA Champions League - first knockout round2003/04: UEFA Champions League - quarter-finals2002/03: UEFA Champions League - second group stage2001/02: UEFA Champions League - second group stage2000/01: UEFA Champions League - quarter-finals1999/00: UEFA Cup - finalists (having transferred from the UEFA Champions League group stage)1998/99: UEFA Champions League - group stage1997/98: UEFA Cup - first round

2006/07 seasonDomestic record: Arsenal again finished fourth in the English Premier League, level on 68 points with third-placedLiverpool FC. They were eight points ahead of Tottenham Hotspur FC and 15 points behind third-placed Chelsea FC,while champions Manchester United FC were a further six points ahead. They were eliminated in the fifth round ofthe FA Cup by Blackburn Rovers FC.

European record: Arsenal were making their ninth successive attempt at winning the UEFA Champions League.They reached the group stage by defeating NK Dinamo Zagreb in the third qualifying round. The English side andrivals FC Porto both recorded three victories and two draws from their six outings in Group G - to finish ahead of PFCCSKA Moskva and Hamburger SV - but Arsenal topped the standings due to their better head-to-head record againsttheir Portuguese opponents. Arsenal lost 2-1 over two legs to PSV Eindhoven in the first knockout round.

Key factsUEFA club competition• Pld: 159 W: 77 D: 42 L: 40 GF: 248 GA: 155

UEFA Champions League (group stage to final)• Pld: 91 W: 41 D: 26 L: 24 GF: 124 GA: 90

Last updated 22.10.2007 22:55:42CETTeam facts 1


European Champion Clubs' Cup/UEFA Champions League• Pld: 105 W: 50 D: 27 L: 28 GF: 155 GA: 101

RecordsUEFA club competition• Biggest win0-7: R. Standard de Liège v Arsenal FC03.11.1993, UEFA Cup Winners' Cup second round second leg

• Biggest home win6-1: Arsenal FC v FK Austria Wien18.09.1991, European Champion Clubs' Cup first round first leg

• Biggest away win0-7: R. Standard de Liège v Arsenal FC (see above for details)

• Heaviest defeat0-3: Arsenal FC v FC Internazionale Milano17.09.2003, UEFA Champions League group stage4-1: FC Spartak Moskva v Arsenal FC22.11.2000, UEFA Champions League second group stage3-0: FC Shakhtar Donetsk v Arsenal FC07.11.2000, UEFA Champions League first group stage2-5: Arsenal FC v SK Spartak Moskva29.09.1982, UEFA Cup first round second leg

• Heaviest home defeat0-3: Arsenal FC v FC Internazionale Milano (see above for details)2-5: Arsenal FC v SK Spartak Moskva (see above for details)

• Heaviest away defeat4-1: FC Spartak Moskva v Arsenal FC (see above for details)3-0: FC Shakhtar Donetsk v Arsenal FC (see above for details)

UEFA Champions League (group stage to final only)• Biggest win5-1: Arsenal FC v Rosenborg BK07.12.2004, UEFA Champions League group stage1-5: FC Internazionale Milano v Arsenal FC25.11.2003, UEFA Champions League group stage0-4: PSV Eindhoven v Arsenal FC25.09.2002, UEFA Champions League group stage

• Biggest home win5-1: Arsenal FC v Rosenborg BK (see above for details)

• Biggest away win1-5: FC Internazionale Milano v Arsenal FC (see above for details)0-4: PSV Eindhoven v Arsenal FC (see above for details)

• Heaviest defeat4-1: FC Spartak Moskva v Arsenal FC (see above for details)3-0: FC Shakhtar Donetsk v Arsenal FC (see above for details)



• Heaviest home defeat0-3: Arsenal FC v FC Internazionale Milano (see above for details)

• Heaviest away defeat4-1: FC Spartak Moskva v Arsenal FC (see above for details)


SK Slavia Praha

UEFA club competition milestones• SK Slavia Praha were infrequent participants in UEFA club competition during the existence of Czechoslovakia, butsince the formation of the Czech Republic they have not failed to qualify to participate in UEFA club competition. Thisseason marks their 15th consecutive appearance.

• The Czech side's best performance in Europe came during the 1995/96 UEFA Cup when they advanced to thesemi-finals only to lose 2-0 on aggregate to FC Girondins de Bordeaux.

UEFA Champions League milestones• N/A

UEFA club competition honours• N/A

Ten-year record2006/07: UEFA Cup - first round2005/06: UEFA Cup - Round of 32 (having transferred from European Champion Clubs' Cup third qualifying round)2004/05: UEFA Cup - second qualifying round2003/04: UEFA Cup - second round (having transferred from European Champion Clubs' Cup third qualifying round)2002/03: UEFA Cup - fourth round2001/02: UEFA Cup - first round (having transferred from European Champion Clubs' Cup third qualifying round)2000/01: UEFA Cup - fourth round (having transferred from European Champion Clubs' Cup third qualifying round)1999/00: UEFA Cup - quarter-finals1998/99: UEFA Cup - second round1997/98: UEFA Cup Winners' Cup - quarter-finals

2006/07 seasonDomestic record: Slavia pushed AC Sparta Praha all the way but had to settle for the runners-up position havingfinished the season four points adrift. Their 68-point haul was matched by FK Mladá Boleslav and SK Slovan Liberecbut Slavia took second place because of their superior record in head-to-head matches. It was enough to earn thema place in the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round.

European record: Slavia began in the UEFA Cup second qualifying round and dispatched FK Karvan Evlakh ofAzerbaijan 2-0 on aggregate. However, they were eliminated in the first round by the same margin at the hands ofEnglish club Tottenham Hotspur FC.

Key factsUEFA club competition• Pld: 110 W: 49 D: 22 L: 39 GF: 147 GA: 123

UEFA Champions League (group stage to final)• Pld: 2 W: 1 D: 0 L: 1 GF: 4 GA: 5



European Champion Clubs' Cup/UEFA Champions League• Pld: 20 W: 9 D: 2 L: 9 GF: 21 GA: 26

RecordsUEFA club competition• Biggest win5-1: SK Slavia Praha v NK Osijek07.12.2000, UEFA Cup third round second leg5-1: SK Slavia Praha v R. Excelsior Mouscron03.10.2002, UEFA Cup first round second leg5-1: SK Slavia Praha v FK Partizan14.11.2002, UEFA Cup second round second leg0-4: Cork City FC v SK Slavia Praha23.08.1994, UEFA Cup preliminary round second leg

• Biggest home win5-1: SK Slavia Praha v NK Osijek (see above for details)5-1: SK Slavia Praha v R. Excelsior Mouscron (see above for details)5-1: SK Slavia Praha v FK Partizan (see above for details)

• Biggest away win0-4: Cork City FC v SK Slavia Praha (see above for details)

• Heaviest defeat5-0: Grasshopper-Club v SK Slavia Praha07.08.1996, European Champion Clubs' Cup qualifying round

• Heaviest home defeat0-2: SK Slavia Praha v Bologna FC03.11.1998, UEFA Cup second round second leg0-2: SK Slavia Praha v RSC Anderlecht24.08.2005, European Champion Clubs' Cup third qualifying round second leg0-2: SK Slavia Praha v FC Shakhtar Donetsk22.08.2000, European Champion Clubs' Cup third qualifying round second leg0-2: SK Slavia Praha v AS Monaco FC30.11.2005, UEFA Cup group stage

• Heaviest away defeat5-0: Grasshopper-Club v SK Slavia Praha (see above for details)

UEFA Champions League (group stage to final only)• Biggest win2-1: SK Slavia Praha v FC Steaua Bucureşti19.09.2007, UEFA Champions League group stage

• Biggest home win2-1: SK Slavia Praha v FC Steaua Bucureşti (see above for details)• Heaviest defeat4-2: Sevilla FC v SK Slavia Praha02.10.2007, UEFA Champions League group stage• Heaviest away defeat4-2: Sevilla FC v SK Slavia Praha (see above for details)




Competition information

UEFA's most prestigious club competition was originally created as the European Champion Clubs' Cup for the1955/56 season, before its revamping as the UEFA Champions League in 1992.

• Format: The UEFA Champions League group stage draw in Monaco on 31 August saw the 32 teams divided intoeight groups of four. Clubs from the same association could not be drawn into the same group. Each club plays onehome and one away match against each other club in its group. Three points are awarded for a win, one point for adraw and no points for a defeat. If two or more teams are equal on points on completion of the group matches, thefollowing criteria are applied to determine the rankings.a) higher number of points obtained in the group matches played among the teams in question;b) superior goal difference from the group matches played among the teams in question;c) higher number of goals scored away from home in the group matches played among the teams in question;d) superior goal difference from all group matches played;e) higher number of goals scored;f) higher number of coefficient points accumulated by the club in question as well as its association, over the previousfive seasons.The eight group-winners and eight runners-up of the group stage qualify for the first knockout round, to be playedover two legs on 19/20 February and 4/5 March 2007. The clubs that finish this stage in third position in their groupmove into the Round of 32 of the UEFA Cup. The clubs that finish this stage in fourth position in their group areeliminated from UEFA club competition for the season. This year's UEFA Champions League final is in Moscow on21 May 2008.

• Disciplinary information: As a rule, a player who is sent off the field of play is suspended for the next match in aUEFA club competition. The Control and Disciplinary Body is entitled to augment this punishment. In the case ofrepeated cautions, a player is suspended for one match after three cautions in three different matches, as well asfollowing any subsequent odd-numbered caution (fifth, seventh, ninth, etc). Single yellow cards and pending suspensionsare always carried forward either to the next stage of the competition or to another club competition in the currentseason.

• Locally-trained players rule: In February 2005, UEFA announced the 'A' list that teams submit for UEFA clubcompetitions will continue to be limited to 25 players, and from season 2007/08, at least six places will be reservedfor players trained by the club's own football academy of which half can be players trained by other clubs from withinthe same association of the said club. The 'B' list will also continue to exist - involving an unlimited number of Under-21players who have been at the club for two seasons. In 2006/07, the number of locally-trained players required beganat four but the current six will rise to eight in 2008/09, with up to half of each figure allowed to be association trained.A club-trained player is defined as a player who has been registered for a minimum of three seasons with the clubbetween the age of 15 and 21, whereas an association-trained player is one who has been registered for at leastthree seasons by the club or by other clubs affiliated to the same association between the age of 15 and 21.

• Player registration: UEFA regulations state that for all UEFA Champions League matches from the start of the firstknockout round, a club may register a maximum of three new eligible players within their squad of 25 for the remainingmatches in the current competition. Such registration must be completed by 1 February at the latest. One player fromthe above quota of three who has played UEFA club competition matches for another competing club in the currentseason may exceptionally be registered, provided that the player has not been fielded by another club in the UEFAChampions League this season.

• Financial information: UEFA says the estimated gross income for the 2007/08 UEFA Champions League is €824.5m– slightly higher than the 2006/07 campaign revenue. Under the competition regulations, 75 per cent of the totalrevenue received from television and commercial contracts concluded by UEFA, up to a maximum of €530m will goto the 32 teams taking part in the group stage of Europe's premier club competition. The remaining 25 per cent isearmarked for European football and remains with UEFA to cover organisational and administrative costs, as well asfor solidarity payments to associations, clubs and leagues.

Last updated 22.10.2007 22:55:43CETCompetition information 1


It is also stipulated that participating clubs will receive 82 per cent of any revenue received from the same stream inexcess of €530m, with the remaining 18 per cent allocated to UEFA for European football. In addition, 50 per cent ofthe revenue received from new media contracts concluded by UEFA will also be available for distribution to the clubs,and the remaining 50 per cent will be allocated to the above-mentioned European football portion/quota.

The gross income for 2007/08 is estimated at €824.5m, and according to projections, will be made up of €819m fromTV and commercial contracts and €5.5m from new media contracts. The total amount to be distributed to the clubsis €588.6m. Each of the 32 clubs in the group stage will receive a starting bonus of €3m. In addition, they will receivea match bonus of €400,000 per match. Performance bonuses will amount to €600,000 for a win and €300,000 for adraw in the group stage. The 16 teams playing in the first knockout round will receive €2.2m, the eight quarter-finalists€2.5m each and the four semi-finalists €3m each. The UEFA Champions League winners will receive €7m, and therunners-up €4m.

This means that a total minimum amount of €5.4m per club is guaranteed for the group stage. A club could receive,at best, up to €23.7m, not counting the market pool share and gate receipts. The remaining €280m will be distributedaccording to the proportional value of each TV market represented by the clubs taking part in the UEFA ChampionsLeague, and to be split among the number of teams – four, three, two or one – participating from a given association.

• Disclaimer: Although UEFA has taken all reasonable care that the information contained within this document isaccurate at the time of publication, no representation or guarantee (including liability towards third parties), expressedor implied, is made as to its accuracy, reliability or completeness. Therefore, UEFA assumes no liability for the useor interpretation of information contained herein.

Last updated 22.10.2007 22:55:43CETCompetition information 2


Legend

:: All-time statisticsThe all-time record of the competing clubs in UEFA club competition.

UEFA club competition: These are the official statistics considered valid for communicating official records in UEFA club competition defined asthe European Champion Clubs' Cup, the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup (1960-1999), the UEFA Cup, the UEFA SuperCup (1973 - ), the UEFA Intertoto Cup and the European/South American Cup (1960-2004). Matches in the Inter-Cities' Fairs Cup and the 1972Super Cup are included only for information as these were not held under UEFA auspices, while the FIFA Club World Cup is excluded.

Goals for/against: Goals totals include the outcome of disciplinary decisions (eg. match forfeits when a 3-0 result is determined). Goals totals donot include goals scored from the penalty mark during a penalty shoot-out after a tie ended in a draw.

:: Squad listThe eligible list of players ordered first by playing position and then numeric order.Current season - UCLQ: Total UEFA Champions League appearances in qualifying rounds only.Current season - UCL: Total UEFA Champions League appearances from the group stage onwards prior to the current matchday.All-time - UCL: Total appearances in the UEFA Champions League from the 1992/93 season, group stage to final only. These are the officialstatistics considered valid for communicating official records in the competition.All-time - UEFA: Total appearances in UEFA club competition (as defined above) including all qualifying round matches. These are the officialstatistics considered valid for communicating official records in the competition.Age: based on the date press kit was last updatedBL: Booking list (*: misses next match if booked, S: suspended)

:: Match officialsThe match officials appointed to officiate the fixture.UCL: Total matches officiated in the UEFA Champions League from 1992/93 season, group stage to final only. Matches where the official hasacted as the fourth official are not included in these statistics. These are the official statistics considered valid for communicating official records.UEFA: Total matches officiated in UEFA club competition including all qualifying round matches. Matches where the official has acted as the fourthofficial are not included in these statistics. These are the official statistics considered valid for communicating official records.

:: CompetitionsClub competitionsECCC: European Champions Clubs' Cup/UEFA Champions LeagueUCUP: UEFA Cup • UCWC: UEFA Cup Winners' CupSCUP: UEFA Super Cup • UIC: UEFA Intertoto Cup

National team competitionsEURO: UEFA European Football Championship • U21: UEFA EuropeanUnder-21 ChampionshipWC: FIFA World Cup • CONFCUP: Confederation CupFRIE: Friendly internationals • U21FRIE: Under-21 friendly internationalsU21: UEFA European Under-21 ChampionshipU19: UEFA European Under-19 Championship • U18: UEFA EuropeanUnder-18 Championship

:: Other Abbreviations:: Competition stagesNo: NumberAP: AppearancesQR3: Third qualifying roundF: FinalPld: Matches playedComp.: CompetitionR1: First roundGS: Group stagePos.: PositionD: DrawnR2: Second roundGS1: First group stagePts: PointsDoB: Date of birthR3: Third roundGS2: Second group stageR: Sent off (red card)GA: Goals againstR4: Fourth roundKO1: First knockout roundRes.: ResultGF: Goals forSF: Semi-finalsPR: Preliminary roundW: WonL: Lost1/8: Eighth-finalsQF: Quarter-finalsY: BookedNat.: Nationality1/16: Sixteenth-finalsQR: Qualifying roundY/R: Sent off (yellow card then directred)

N/a: Not Applicable1st: first legQR1: First qualifying round2nd: second legQR2: Second qualifying roundP-O: Play-offFT: Final tournament

:: Statistics(+) : Denotes player introduced(-) : Denotes player substituted(+/-) : Denotes player introduced and substituted(*) : Denotes player dismissed/sent off

Last updated 22.10.2007 22:55:43CETLegend 1


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