Arsenal will play German champions Bayern Munich once again in the UEFA Champions League round-of-16 following Monday’s draw, as reported by UEFA’s official website.
The North London club finished top of their group for the first time in five years, after getting the better of Basel on the final matchday. PSG only needed to match Arsenal’s result to top the group, but were held to a draw by Ludogorets ultimately finishing below the Emirates club.
Had the Gunners finished second in their group, then they would have faced Barcelona, who instead were paired with PSG.
Coming to the other pairings, Leicester will face three-time UEFA Europa League champions Sevilla, and Manchester City will play AS Monaco.
Meanwhile, Juventus take on FC Porto, Real Madrid will face Napoli, and Atletico Madrid play Bayer Leverkusen. Borussia Dortmund will meet Benfica in the remaining tie.
The pressure will be on the Gunners to progress past it this time around. Arsenal defied the odds to win the group but unfortunately for manager Arsene Wenger’s side, while they may have been able to avoid the likes of Barcelona by winning their group, they’ve been handed an equally tough draw here.
It’s one that will feel familiar to Gunners fans, as Bayern knocked them out at this stage in 2013 and 2014 and thrashed them 5-1 in the group phase last year.
According to UEFA‘s official website, the first leg of the round will be played on February 21st with Arsenal visiting Germany, while the return let will take place at the Emirates on 15th March.
Here are some of the fan reactions on Twitter:
Well said!
Can #arsenal fans chill out? If you want to win the champs league you have to beat the best teams at some point.
— Андрей Подгорный (@TonyRoo) December 12, 2016
LOL
https://twitter.com/Sporf/status/808328279677603840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Quite a revelation brother
https://twitter.com/Kanee_Percival/status/808327946360471552
True
https://twitter.com/DannyDC_93/status/808326987936841728
Unlucky to draw Bayern, but it's a chance to make a statement in the competition #Arsenal
— lambappé (@LPardale) December 12, 2016
Bayern have a very active Social Media accounts
https://twitter.com/Jackel_Ramzilla/status/808278151633707008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Bayern again? Really? I would have preferred anyone but them. Same old matchup again! #arsenal #UCLdraw
— subbu man (@subashm24) December 12, 2016
Bring it on
There's no better time for #Arsenal to play Bayern than now….mouth watering encouter!!!
— Judeocracy (@judiniokwy) December 12, 2016
Dream come true?
https://twitter.com/JamesNeveau/status/808322731573919744
A love better than Twilight
https://twitter.com/farnooshkamran/status/808321601884291073
https://twitter.com/Gooner815/status/808320925645074432
Every Arsenal fans reactions
https://twitter.com/TrueFeras/status/808319870219612160
Let’s go
https://twitter.com/bobbybrownyo/status/808317814952050689
