Arsenal Champions League draw results: Gunners face European nemesis Bayern Munich in last-16
Arsene Wenger's side will face the Budesliga champions in first knockout round - the fourth time the teams have played each other in last five seasons
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Arsenal's reward for winning their Champions League group is a last-16 tie with their European nemesis Bayern Munich. The Gunners have faced Bayern four times in the last five seasons and finished behind them in last season's Group Stage. And they will lock horns with the German giants, managed by Carlo Ancelotti, in the first knockout round in the new year.
What do we need to know about Bayern Munich?
Well, they're good - really,very good. The Bundesliga champions are top of their domestic league again this season. On Saturday they hammered Wolfsburg 5-0, and they have lost just once in the league this season, 1-0 to Borussia Dortmund in November. Ancelotti's team is packed with world-class quality, from Manuel Neuer in goal to David Alaba in defence and Franck in midfield. Throw in a front three of Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Muller and Arjen Robben - not to mention Douglas Costa - and Bayern are a fearsome opponent.
Player to watch out for?
Take your pick. Any one of Bayern's attackers has the quality to end Arsenal's European dream this season, but at the moment the big fear is Lewandowski. The 28-year-old Poland international is at the peak of his powers and at the time of writing has scored 26 goals in 26 appearances this season for club and country.
How did Bayern Munich qualify?
Ancelotti's side finished second in Group D behind Atletico Madrid, and were perhaps less convincing than expected. They lost 1-0 away to Atletico and 3-2 away to Rostov. Nontheless, they comfortably made the last-16.
How did Arsenal qualify?
Comfortably - and impressively. Arsenal cruised through Group A, winning four and drawing two, and scoring 18 goals in the process.
When will it be?
First legs: 14-15 and 21-22 February
Second legs: 07-08 and 14-15 March
Past meetings
This is a rivalry that goes back to the turn of the Millenium when Bayern secured a 2-2 draw at Highbury and beat the Gunners at home. They met again in the 2004-05 season when Bayern won 3-1 in Germany and Arsenal's 1-0 win in the return leg at Highbury could not prevent them crashing out. The rivalry really kicked off in March 2013, however, when Bayern triumphed on away goals in the last-16, before the next season they beat the Gunners again in the last-16 - this time 3-1 on aggregate. They met again in the Group Stage last season, where Arsenal won 2-0 at the Emirates before getting a 5-1 hammering at the Allianz Arena.
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