Arsenal handed nightmare draw with Barcelona in Champions League

Barcelona v Arsenal is a repeat of the 2006 final, which the Spanish champions won 2-1 thanks to two late goals in Paris.

Paris Saint-Germain captain Thiago Silva says that Chelsea not having a winter break puts them at a disadvantage for their last-16 tie in the Champions League.

Another clash between big guns will feature last season’s finalists Juventus against Bayern Munich, while Real Madrid were drawn against Roma.

The Champions League draw handed Real Madrid, 2014 winners of the competition, a Last 16 meeting against Italian opposition Roma, who would hope to keep Cristiano Ronaldo quiet in an attempt to progress into the Quarter Finals for the first time since 2008. I doubt it. This would give them the belief that they could beat anyone and everyone, and if they can overcome a team as good as Barcelona, there’s no reason why they can’t challenge for both the league and Champions League.

“The only guarantee we have is that we’ll have two great teams playing two great games”.

It is not easy and the one (Barca) to avoid at this stage, but it is up to us and we will give them a game.

London rivals Chelsea also drew a team they have become familiar with – but wanted very much to avoid – in Paris St-Germain. Last year PSG eliminated Chelsea at the same stage of the competition and the year before went on eliminating the French in the Quaterfinals.

Gent, in its first participation in the competition, will take on Germany’s VfL Wolfsburg. Arsenal have not made it past the round of 16 for the previous five years, with elimination at the hands of Barcelona, AC Milan, Bayern Munich, twice, and Monaco during that period.

“I think they were better than us at that moment”, the 28-year-old Brazilian said.

“You only know if it’s a good draw after the tie”.

Kiev coach Sergei Rebrov said City is “a solid and well-balanced team” but added: “We have already played against them and enjoyed success”.

That ban means City’s visit to Kiev will be played behind closed doors, with no fans, home or away, present. Return legs are on 8-9 and 15-16 March.

There was a joke to be had at Manchester United’s expense too after they were demoted to the Europa League following their 3-2 defeat by Wolfsburg, and failure to reach the Champions League knock-out rounds. They will be two hard games but we knew that we would meet tough opposition in this tournament. We have got Alexis Sanchez who I am sure will be delighted to go back and play against one of his former clubs. We are getting experience which is important.