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Arsenal have been handed a daunting Champions League last-16 tie with German giants and familiar foes Bayern Munich despite topping their group.
The Gunners finished first in their section for the first time since the 2011-12 season as they beat off the challenge of Paris Saint-Germain, but they now take on one of European football’s powerhouse clubs, who finished second behind Atletico Madrid in their own group.
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, who finished second behind Barcelona, were handed a favourable draw against French side Monaco. Leicester, in their first Champions League campaign, take on Sevilla.
But the standout draw is Arsenal’s tough assignment against Bayern, with the two sides having faced off in three of the last four seasons.
Both clubs acknowledged the familiarity immediately after the draw on social media, with the Germans replying to a tweet from Arsenal with a clip from the film Groundhog Day.
Arsenal faced Bayern in the knockout stages in the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons, with the Germans progressing on both occasions, before recording a home win apiece in the group stage of last season’s competition.
The Gunners won 2-0 at the Emirates but were humbled 5-1 in the Allianz Arena in the return match, as both sides progressed from the group.
‘We thought it would happen, but to keep it in context we’ve qualified for this stage in each of the last 14 seasons, although fans will think we’ve got the rough end of the draw,’ Arsenal secretary David Miles said as he represented the club at the draw.
‘The home game second will be keen for us and we are upbeat and positive.’
City avoided the likes of Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Borussia Dortmund as they were drawn with Monaco – the 2004 finalists who helped eliminate Tottenham from the competition.
Manchester City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain was happy with his side’s draw but warned Monaco – who beat Spurs twice en route to topping Group E – pose a tough test.
‘We are happy to be here, and then we have avoided Real Madrid and Barcelona,’ he told BT Sport.
‘Monaco are playing probably the best football in France now. In a group with Tottenham and Bayer Leverkusen they were top and they have young players and a lot of talent.
‘It’s a new adventure for everybody here and it is a good draw. We want to be offensive and play attacking football and Monaco want this (as well).’
Premier League champions Leicester face Sevilla, who are playing at this stage of the competition for the first time in seven years having won the Europa League in each of the last three seasons.
‘I know that Sevilla have lifted the Europa League three times in three years – it is unbelievable. Now th
‘They are a big, big, big team. They are very technical and very good. They are fighting to win the title with Real Madrid and Barcelona in Spain, so that tells you how good they are.’
Away from the English representatives, champions Real Madrid take on Napoli, while Barcelona take on Paris Saint-Germain over two legs in perhaps the pick of the remaining last-16 games.
In response to his club’s draw against Barcelona, PSG director of football Patrick Kluivert said: ‘We knew we could draw the biggest clubs in the world and we have to face it.
ey are third in the league and have lost only three so far,’ Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri said.
