Arsenal pitted against Barcelona in Champions League

Arsenal will take on holders Barcelona in the last 16 of the Champions League while Chelsea face a rematch with Paris St Germain.

Manchester City, the third English side in through to the knockout stages, will play Dynamo Kiev in a tie for which the game in Ukraine must be played behind closed doors.

The Gunners, who reached the last 16 with a memorable victory at Olympiacos in their final group game, knew they could have faced Barca or 10-times winners Real Madrid.

Their task will be a daunting one and Barca, having beaten Manchester City at this stage for the last two seasons, will be clear favourites. Chelsea face PSG in the knockout stages for the third season in succession and will hope to gain some revenge after losing to them in March.

City will be pleased to have avoided the dangerous PSG as they bid to reach the quarter-finals for the first time but their fans may be frustrated about the Kiev situation. The Ukrainian club were ordered to play two games behind closed doors last month as punishment for offences that included racial abuse of players by supporters during their group game against Chelsea. City fans already boo the Champions League anthem in protest against Uefa, chiefly because their fans were not allowed to travel to a game at CSKA Moscow last season.

That situation was slightly different, however, as some fans had already made visa, travel and accommodation arrangements before the ruling was made. mfl

The first legs of the ties, which were drawn at Uefa headquarters in Nyon, will take place on February 16th/17th or 23rd/24th with the return matches on March 8th/9th or 15th/16th.

Champions League Round Of 16 Draw

Gent v Wolfsburg

Roma v Real Madrid

Paris St Germain v Chelsea

Arsenal v Barcelona

Juventus v Bayern Munich

PSV Eindhoven v Atletico Madrid

Benfica v Zenit St Petersburg

Dynamo Kiev v Manchester City