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Champions League round of 16 draw revealed

By Nathan Reynolds

The Champions League trophy is pictured at the start of the UEFA Champions League Group stage draw ceremony, on August 25, 2016 in Monaco. AFP PHOTO / VALERY HACHE / AFP / VALERY HACHE (Photo credit should read VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images)
The Champions League trophy is pictured at the start of the UEFA Champions League Group stage draw ceremony, on August 25, 2016 in Monaco. AFP PHOTO / VALERY HACHE / AFP / VALERY HACHE (Photo credit should read VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images) /
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UEFA announced the pairings for the round of 16 in the 2016-17 Champions League Monday. Arsenal were rewarded for winning their group with a draw against Bayern Munich.

Typically, if you win your group in the Champions League you’re rewarded with an easier matchup in the round of 16. This was a year not to win your group, perhaps, as Arsenal and Barcelona were handed difficult draws.

UEFA held the draw on Monday at their headquarters in Nyon. The draw was always destined to be intresting after several big teams failed to win their groups. Manchester City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and PSG all finished second.

Here’s a look at all eight matchups:

  • Bayern Munich (Group D runner-ups) vs. Arsenal (Group A winners)
  • Manchester City (Group C runner-ups) vs. Monaco (Group E winners)
  • Sevilla (Group H runner-ups) vs. Leicester City (Group G winners)
  • Real Madrid (Group F runner-ups) vs. Napoli (Group B winners)
  • Benfica (Group B runner-ups) vs. Borussia Dortmund (Group F winners)
  • Porto (Group G runner-ups) vs. Juventus (Group H winners)
  • Bayer Leverkusn (Group E runner-ups) vs. Atletico Madrid (Group D winners)
  • Paris Saint-Germain (Group A runner-ups) vs. Barcelona (Group C winners)

Clearly the two highlights of the round are Arsenal vs. Bayern Munich and Barcelona vs. PSG. Arsenal seem to have no luck when it comes to the round of 16, having drawn Bayern Munich three times in recent years.

Manchester City should be happy with their draw against Monaco, but with the French side’s strong attack, Pep Guardiola will be worried about the City defense. Meanwhile Cinderella story Leicester City picked up a favorable draw in Sevilla, which could see the England side advance to the final eight.

Next: Premier League Week 15 Power Rankings

The first leg matchups will take place over February 14-15 and 21-22 with the return matches taking place on March 7-8 and 14-15.

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