London sides face Italian jobs
December 16, 2011 11:12:19 UK
Arsene Wenger will be pitting his wits against AC Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri.Arsenal will play AC Milan in the last 16 of the Champions League while Chelsea have been drawn against Napoli.
It is a tough draw for the two London clubs as Napoli, 1213.00 to win the competition, impressed in their two games against Manchester City in the group stage while AC Milan have won Europe's premier competition on seven occasions, most recently in the 2006-07 season when they beat Liverpool in the final.
Napoli finished third in Serie A last season and are currently fifth this term, having only lost three of their 14 games to date.
On hearing the draw, Gunners secretary David Miles said: "It's probably the pick of the round. They'll be two fantastic games.
It's probably the pick of the round. They'll be two fantastic games.
David Miles
"If I'm being honest, there are some other teams I would have preferred. Last time we played them in 2007-08, we actually went through after winning 2-0 in the San Siro so our recent history against them is good."
Italy has the most clubs in the last 16 this season with three, and Inter Milan, mid-table in Serie A under Claudio Ranieri's guidance, have been paired with Marseille.
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Elsewhere, holders Barcelona, 1213.00 to retain their title, will be confident of reaching the quarter-finals after being drawn to play Bayer Leverkusen, who qualified from their group alongside Chelsea.
Shock Cypriot qualifiers APOEL Nicosia will play Lyon in the last 16 while Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid outfit, 1213.00 to win the Champions League this season, face a two-legged clash with CSKA Moscow.
Basel, who beat Manchester United earlier this month to send Sir Alex Ferguson's side into the Europa League after earlier drawing 3-3 at Old Trafford, face Bayern Munich while Benfica take on Zenit St Petersburg.
The full draw is:
Lyon v APOEL Nicosia
Napoli v Chelsea
AC Milan v Arsenal
Basel v Bayern Munich
Bayer Leverkusen v Barcelona
CSKA Moscow v Real Madrid
Zenit St Petersburg v Benfica
Marseille v Inter Milan
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