Arsenal would have preferred to have avoided AC Milan in Champions League last 16, club secretary admits

Arsenal club secretary David Miles believes that Arsene Wenger's side stand every chance of overcoming AC Milan in the pick of the ties for the Champions League last 16.

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Arsenal beat Milan in the competition back in 2008, in the process inflicting the Rossoneri's first ever home defeat to an English club.

Miles told SkySports: "I would suggest that it’s probably the pick of the round. It’s going to be a fantastic two games.

"If I’m being honest, there are maybe some other teams we would have preferred but of course what we mustn’t forget is the last time we played AC was in the 2008 knock-out rounds, we went through and won 2-0 in the San Siro.

"Our recent history against Milan is good and obviously we are very much looking forward to these two fixtures.

"When you think that by being group winners, we start in the San Siro and we play second at a packed Emirates Stadium I think it’s going to be a fantastic night for football and for Arsenal Football Club.

"We have knocked out, in our recent history, both Roma and Inter Milan, including a 5-1 win at the San Siro.

"It’s going to be tough and everyone has earned the right to get to this stage but nevertheless, we are firmly confident."

Milan finished runners-up to Barcelona in their group and Miles admitted that he was happy to see Arsenal top Group F and avoiding the Catalans in the knockout rounds, at least for now.

Miles continued: "Having been on the rough end of Barcelona for the last two seasons it was nice to know that it couldn’t happen for a third time.

"From the draw in August, thankfully we have turned our season around. We’re doing very well in the Premier League and looking forward to a good game against Manchester City on Sunday."

Miles was also asked about the likeliehood of any arrivals at the Emirates in January but the club official kept his cards close to his chest, hinting that Wenger has not picked anyone out yet.

"He’s not always been that busy in January, has he?" replied Miles.

"I think historically he prefers the summer window to the winter window. But, nevertheless, if Arsene sees a player of quality that he thinks will enhance our squad, we’ll have no qualms about adding to our squad for the second half of the season."

Meanwhile, midfielder Jack Wilshere reacted to the draw via social networking site twitter, stating that whilst the Serie A giants are a difficult prospect, if the Gunners are to win the competition, they need to manoeuvre past the best teams.

He said: "Hard draw but you have to beat the best to win it! Looking forward to it! #Gooners."