Sparta Prague's Europa League hopes hanging in the balance
Defeat to Arsenal leaves Czech side with it all to do in second leg
Sparta Prague's hopes of reaching the quarter-finals of the Europa League are hanging in the balance after they were beaten 1-0 at home by Arsenal in the first leg of their last-16 tie on Thursday.
Mikel Arteta's side took the lead in the 82nd minute through Bukayo Saka's close-range finish, and they will now be confident of finishing the job in the second leg at the Emirates Stadium next week.
Sparta Prague had their chances in the game, but they were unable to find a way past Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
The Czech side will need to score at least twice in the second leg if they are to have any chance of progressing.
However, they will be without the suspended Ondrej Celustka, who was sent off in the first leg.
Arsenal, meanwhile, will be looking to build on their first-leg advantage and book their place in the quarter-finals.
The Gunners have been in impressive form in recent weeks, and they will be confident of getting the job done against Sparta Prague.
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