Wenger Coy as Arsenal Draw Barcelona Again in Champions League
Arsenal will face holders Barcelona in the Champions League last 16 while Chelsea have been drawn against Paris St-Germain for the third consecutive season, with Manchester City to square up against Dynamo Kiev. Arsene Wenger has remained coy about the draw, preferring not to make any comment until a later date.
Roma versus Real Madrid and Juventus, last year’s beaten finalists, against Bayern Munich are two of the standout matches in the draw.
First legs are scheduled to take place on 16-17 and 23-24 February. Return legs are on 8-9 and 15-16 March.
The winners of each group, including Chelsea and Manchester City, are at home in the second legs, while Arsenal will host their first leg.
Barcelona v Arsenal is a repeat of the 2006 final, which the Spanish champions won 2-1 thanks to two late goals in Paris.
PSG, who are 17 points clear at the top of the French league, knocked Chelsea out on away goals at this stage last season, while the Blues beat them on the same rule in the quarter-finals the previous year.
Dynamo Kiev beat Manchester City in the 2010-11 Europa League last 16, with striker Mario Balotelli sent off for the English side.
The first leg in Kiev will be played in a stadium without any supporters present, as Dynamo Kiev were punished following racist attacks on fans during a group game against Chelsea.
Draw in full
Gent v Wolfsburg
Roma v Real Madrid
Paris St-Germain v Chelsea
Arsenal v Barcelona
Juventus v Bayern Munich
PSV Eindhoven v Atletico Madrid
Benfica v Zenit St Petersburg
Dynamo Kiev v Manchester City