Seeded Gunners are set to seal the deal for Squillaci
ARSENAL will be in the pot of top seeds when the Champions League group stage draw is made in Monaco this evening, writes Jem Maidment. Sevilla s exit from the qualifying stages on Tuesday night confirmed the Gunners will be among the competition s top 10...
ARSENAL will be in the pot of top seeds when the Champions League group stage draw is made in Monaco this evening, writes Jem Maidment.
Sevilla's exit from the qualifying stages on Tuesday night confirmed the Gunners will be among the competition's top 10 clubs, based on their European performances over the past five seasons.
The Gunners have played in every Champions League since 1998/99 and reached the final in 2006, losing to Barcelona.
Twenty-two sides had qualified directly for the group stages prior to this week and will be joined by 10 play-off winners. The draw for the group stages begins at 5pm UK time.
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Meanwhile, Arsenal are expected to confirm the signing of Sevilla's France international defender Sebastien Squillaci after the Spanish club signed his replacement, Valenica defender Alexis Ruano.
The 30-year-old Squillaci, who has been a long-term target for Arsene Wenger, was expected to have a medical at Arsenalthis week.
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He will provide much-needed defensive cover after the departures of William Gallas, Sol Campbell and Mikael Silvestre in the summer.
Squillaci, who has also played for Monaco and Lyon, said: "If a French player receives an offer from Ars�ne Wenger, it's practically impossible to turn down.
"It was a sensational offer for me and I was happy Sevilla let me go."
Former Tottenham player Didier Zokora, a team-mate of Squillaci's at Sevilla, expects him to be a success in the Premier League.
Zokora said this week: "He is a very strong defender, he wins every duel. He is a very good defender because he plays for the French national side.
"I think if he plays for Arsenal he will play easy because Arsenal play very easy football. For him, I think it is a very good option.
