Bayern in Gunners' crosshairs

Arsenal draws German giant, PSG gets Barcelona in Champions League

Former Holland star Ruud Gullit shows the ticket of Spanish club Barcelona during Monday's draw for the last 16 of the 2016-17 Champions League tournament at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland. Laurent Gillieron / Keystone via AP

Arsenal was once again drawn against Bayern Munich in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League on Monday, while Barcelona will also come up against a familiar foe in Paris Saint-Germain.

Arsenal had hoped winning its group for the first time in five years would spare it a tie against one of the continent's giants in the first knockout round, but instead the Gunners will face Carlo Ancelotti's German champion, with the first leg in Bavaria.

Bayern eliminated Arsenal en route to winning the trophy in 2012-13 and repeated the feat a year later, while the teams also met in the group stage last season. The Gunners won 2-0 in London but lost 5-1 at Allianz Arena.

"It's an interesting and difficult draw," said Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

"We know Arsenal from the last few years when we often played against them, twice already in the last 16, when we had a good experience and got through.

"Arsenal is a strong team and I rate them as stronger at the moment than in the last few years."

PSG came second to Arsenal in Group A, leaving it more vulnerable to a tough draw, and five-time winner Barcelona has eliminated the French club in the quarterfinals in two of the past four seasons.

The teams also met in the group stage in 2014-15.

"If I could have chosen another team, I would have," said Paris director of soccer Patrick Kluivert, a former Barcelona striker.

Barcelona vice-president Jordi Mestre told beIN Sports Spain: "There is no guarantee, but it gives you a certain confidence to have beaten them before. Every game is different and we will see what happens."