Taking on Athletic Club Bilbao, A.E. Aegina and Djurgården/Älvsjö - the respective champions from Spain, Greece and host nation Sweden - the team will play three matches in five days at the Stockholm Stadium.

The Ladies were involved in the inaugural UEFA Women’s Cup back in 2002 when they reached the quarter-finals; they then went one stage further by reaching the semi-finals in 2003. In the current domestic campaign the team are fourth in the National Premier Division with a game in hand, having won one and drawn two.

Vic Akers, Arsenal Ladies manager said: "We’ve been drawn in a pretty tough group so we’ll be looking back to key matches from last season, like the Cup Final against Charlton, to push us through and keep the girls focused.

"We’ve got good experience within the squad, and a number of the girls have played in the UEFA Cup before so we’ll go out there and give it our all".

Faye White, Arsenal and England captain said: "European competition is a great test, but it’s also the kind of level we want to be playing at.

"I’ve got no doubt that, like me, the girls will use their international experience when approaching the matches next week and we all hope to do well and qualify for the next stage".

Arsène Wenger, Arsenal manager said: "The Ladies had great success domestically last season, with the League and FA Cup double, and they will be looking to transfer that to European competition this season.

"They have a good history in the UEFA Cup, having reached the quarter-finals and semi-finals in their last two campaigns and I know they will want to do well again this year. We all wish them luck in Sweden next week".

"I hope they get the results they need next week to take them through to the quarter-finals, we’ll be keeping an eye out to see how they get on".

Ashley Cole, Arsenal and England defender said: "For the last couple of seasons we’ve all sponsored our respective player in the Ladies team, so I’ll be keeping a close eye on my counterpart Leanne Champ next week!

"The squad worked really hard last season, and the defence including Leanne did really well to concede only 11 goals.

"They deserve to be back in European competition off the back of the double, and I hope it’ll be a good campaign for them".