Arsenal - Barca Reunion Highlight Of Champions League Draw

Arsenal will once again face Lionel Messi and co in the headline tie of this year's Champions league last 16.

Gunners fans feared they would get a tough draw after they only qualified as runners-up and a reunion with Barcelona was perhaps the worst tie they could have hoped for.

For the neutrals though it is they tie we wanted. Last year the two sides served up 180 minutes of fantastic football at the quarter-final stage. Lionel Messi stole the show in the second leg with all the goals in a 4-1 romp for the 2009 European Champions. Arsenal will have to be at their very best if they are to make it through to the quarter-finals. Anyone looking to bet on Champions League winner will no doubt be keeping a close eye on this tie.

Elsewhere we have a repeat of last year's final with struggling Inter Milan taking on German Champions Bayern Munich. Real Madrid will also be facing familiar opponents. They take on French side Lyon who knocked them out at this stage last year - the sixth time in a row Real have exited the competition in the last 16. Valencia will face German side Schalke while Shaktar's reward for finishing above Arsenal in Group H is a clash with Serie A side Roma.

Manchester United will be reasonably pleased with their draw, given the sides they avoided. They take on Marseille and a reunion with Gabriel Heinze, who left the club under a cloud three years ago after he tried, and failed, to force through a move to rivals Liverpool.

Another intriguing tie is Spurs against AC Milan. Harry Redknapp's side have taken the tournament by storm this season, scoring 18 goals and topping their group ahead of holders Inter.

If they choose to stick to their attacking principles against Milan then we should expect a goal-fest in the two games and the Champions League predictions reflect this.

Chelsea will be delighted with their tie against FC Copenhagen. The Danish outfit impressed in the groups but the fact the tie comes in the middle of their winter break means they will be short of match fitness, handing Carlo Ancelotti's men a crucial advantage.