Thiago Silva: Lack of winter break could cost Chelsea versus PSG

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.

The only time the Gunners qualified for the final of the competition, in 2006, they lost 2-1 to Barcelona.

Chelsea, who are enduring a torrid time in the Premier League, will face Paris Saint-Germain in the knockout stages for the third year in succession.

Manchester City, the third English side through to the knockout stages, will be happy to face Dynamo Kiev, against whom Chelsea picked up four points in the Group stage; the Ukraine leg of that tie will be played behind closed doors.

Barcelona are believed to be very happy to have drawn Arsenal in the Champions League round of 16, Mirror reports.

“Football fans will enjoy themselves, we’re two sides that play similar styles with a similar understanding of the game”.

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

Club secretary David Barnard said: “At least we know a lot about PSG”.

There is also a familiar feel about the Chelsea against PSG tie. Last year PSG eliminated Chelsea at the same stage of the competition and the year before went on eliminating the French in the Quaterfinals.

PSV Eindhoven will take on Atletico Madrid, Dynamo Kiev will play Manchester City and Benfica will be against Zenit St Petersburg.

Although Barca can boast the famed forward trident of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, Miles claimed Arsenal, who will play the first leg at home on February 23, have their own players to grace the occasion. They then won their final game away from home and that could well give them the push they needed.

United could only look on at the Champions League draw at UEFA headquarters in Nyon as they waited to learn their Europa League opponents.

“They [Kiev] have a good side and it will be hard for us”.

“We were in a very complicated group and we did very well to come through it without too much difficulty”.

Emilio Butragueño, Real Madrid’s director of institutional relations: “It’s a special competition and we all know what it means and what a source of motivation it is. They have a similar football philosophy to ours, they like to attack and to have the ball”.