Their decision to switch the tie to Highbury for financial reasons was understandable, however, and Boro could at least say they had tackled some of the world's best players as Arsenal fielded the likes of Robert Pires in their starting line-up.

BBC: Arsenal cruise through

Saints, who won all six of their group games, may have to switch their last-eight tie from Franklin's Gardens to a stadium with a minimum 15, 000 capacity.

BBC: Northampton to face Ulster in Heineken Cup last eight