Champions League draw: Arsenal draw Monaco but nightmare for Chelsea and Manchester City
The current Premier League leaders will play PSG while City face Barcelona
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Arsenal will play Monaco in the Round of 16 of the Champions League after the draw was incredibly kind to the Gunners.
Arsene Wenger's side could have faced one of the biggest teams in Europe, with Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich among the possible contenders. However, they managed to avoid them and will instead take on the French side that Wenger used to manage.
Manchester City meanwhile were not quite so fortunate and appear to have gone from the frying pan into the fire having been drawn against Barcelona. Manuel Pellegrini's side did remarkably well to escape their group having picked up just two points from their first four games, however they will do remarkably well to progress further. The fixture will see Luis Suarez return to England for the first time since his switch from Liverpool.
Chelsea were handed perhaps the toughest draw they could have when they were paired with Paris St Germain. Having won their group, Jose Mourinho's side could have faced many easier looking fixtures, including the likes of FC Basel, Bayer Leverkusen or Shakhtar Donetsk. Instead they take on Zlatan Ibrahimovic's French champions and will also welcome former defender David Luiz back to Stamford Bridge.
Holders Real Madrid face a simple enough assignment with German side Schalke standing in their way. Borussia Dortmund, who topped Arsenal's group, will feel aggrieved that their reward is to be handed Italian giants Juventus.
Bayern Munich will play Shakhtar Donetsk whilst last year's finalist Atletico Madrid take on Bayer Leverkusen. FC Porto and FC Basel will both fancy their chances of reaching the quarter-finals.
Full draw...
Chelsea vs PSG
Barcelona vs Manchester City
Atletico Madrid vs Bayer Leverkusen
Borussia Dortmund vs Juventus
Real Madrid vs Schalke
Bayern Munich vs Shakhtar Donetsk
Monaco vs Arsenal
FC Porto vs FC Basel
The group winners will play away in the Round of 16 first-legs on 17/18 and 25/26 February and then at home in the second-leg on 10/11 and 17/18 March.
FULL FIXTURE LIST FOR THE LAST-16:
First Leg...
Tuesday 17 February
PSG vs Chelsea
Shakhtar Donestsk vs Bayern Munich
Wednesday 18 February
Schalke vs Real Madrid
FC Basel vs Porto
Tuesday 24 February
Manchester City vs Barcelona
Juventus vs Borussia Dortmund
Wednesday 25 February
Bayer Leverkusen vs Atletico Madrid
Arsenal vs Monaco
Second Leg:
Tuesday 10 March
Porto vs Basel
Real Madrid vs Schalke
Wednesday 11 March
Chelsea vs PSG
Bayern Munich vs Shakhtar Donestsk
Tuesday 17 March
Atletico Madrid vs Bayer Leverkusen
Monaco vs Arsenal
Wednesday 18 March
Barcelona vs Manchester City
Borussia Dortmund vs Juventus
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments