Udinese president Giampaolo Pozzo has said that his team will be ready to take on Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League play-offs after being paired with the English Premier League side in Friday’s draw.
The Italians qualified for the tournament after finishing fourth in the Serie A last season and were given one of the toughest teams in a draw which included Spain’s Villarreal and German giants Bayern Munich.
However, despite playing a side who are used to doing well in Europe’s most elite club competition, Pozzo feels his men will cope, though they lost Alexis Sanchez to Barcelona this summer.
“It will be a fascinating adventure, like going to New York for the first time,” Pozzo told La Repubblica.
“Arsenal are a historic club and it will be a pleasure being involved in this tie. All the games at this level are difficult.
“In these instances you have to be lucky and face these experiences with a certain philosophy.”
The first-leg takes place at the Emirates stadium in London on August 16, with the return fixture scheduled to hold on August 24 at the Stadio Friuli.