Champions League draw: Arsenal gifted easy Monaco draw, but Chelsea and Manchester City handed tough ties

Arsene Wenger will head back to his old stomping ground Monaco next year, after Arsenal drew the French side for the Champions League last 16.

 

Meanwhile, Manuel Pellegrini and Jose Mourinho will be wary of two tough-looking draws for Manchester City and Chelsea, against Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain respectively.

 

The Gunners have failed to progress past the last 16 stage of the competition for four consecutive seasons after tough draws against Barcelona, AC Milan and Bayern Munich (twice).

 

After finishing second in their group, Arsenal fans feared another tough draw against Real Madrid or Bayern Munich, but will be confident against a Monaco side who scored just four goals in the group stage.

 

The first leg will take place on either the 17/18 or 24/25 of February, with the return on either 10/11 or 17/18 March.

 

It’s a familiar feeling for Manchester City, who face Barcelona in the first knockout stage for the second successive season. Last season Manuel Pellegrini’s men came unstuck against Lionel Messi and co, losing 4-1 on aggregate over two legs. 

 

Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea will play Group F runners-up Paris St. Germain – a rematch of last season’s quarter-final. The Blues then turned around a 3-1 first leg deficit in dramatic style at Stamford Bridge.

 

The draw in full: