Champions League: Who got the best draw for the first knockout round? Arsenal, Chelsea or Manchester City?

We assess the prospects of the three English clubs following Monday’s Champions League draw…

ARSENAL v Monaco

The number crunchers revealed that Bayern Munich were the team Arsenal would be most likely to face in Monday’s draw, but Arsene Wenger’s side managed to avoid the German champions and find themselves up against Monaco instead.

For Wenger it is a return to the club he coached for seven years between 1987 and 1994 guiding them to a Ligue 1 title and a Coupe de France triumph during his time there, launching the careers of Arsenal heroes Thierry Henry and Emmanuel Petit in the process.  

The French side are down in sixth in their domestic competition and despite having former Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov within the ranks, it’s a game for which the Gunners will be favourites to progress despite having to travel to Monaco for the second leg.

Pundit view

Tony Gale: "I think it’s great, going back to his old club where he did ever so well and made his name. But also if ever one of the managers needed a bit of luck after the grief that he’s had recently, it’s Arsene Wenger. He deserved it and he’s had it there. It’s a lovely draw."

CHELSEA v Paris St Germain

Jose Mourinho indicated on Wednesday that he would welcome facing Paris St Germain but on the face of it, the French champions represent the toughest draw possible for Chelsea after the Londoners topped their group.

PSG boast a number of world-class performers including Thiago Silva, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani as well as former Chelsea player David Luiz in defence. There is also the promising talent of Marco Verratti in midfield to consider.

But Mourinho’s confidence might be explained by their quarter-final triumph over PSG in March. Although Chelsea required a late Demba Ba goal to progress on away goals, the current Premier League leaders are an improved outfit since that game and with the second leg at Stamford Bridge once again, that could prove a key advantage for his team.

Pundit view

Tony Gale: "Chelsea played them last year without, I thought, top-class strikers. It’s Diego Costa this season against David Luiz? David Luiz might be the victim of Diego Costa roughing him up a little bit. I know PSG have got some good talent going the other way but I fancy Chelsea in this one."

MAN CITY v Barcelona

After their feats of escapology in emerging from Group E, Manchester City will surely welcome just being in the draw for the knockout stages. Their late heroics against Bayern Munich and away win against Roma will also have bolstered confidence that they can beat anyone on their day.

A Barcelona side that includes the great Lionel Messi represents a tough assignment and City will need a good result at the Etihad Stadium to take to the Camp Nou if they are to have any chance of denying Barca a place in the last eight for the first time since 2007.

But if they can get their best players fit and firing, they can certainly hope to improve on their showing against the Catalan side last season. Beaten 4-1 on aggregate over two legs, the sending-off of Martin Demichelis turned the tie. Has Manuel Pellegrini learned from that experience?

Pundit view

Alan McInally: "It’s a real toughie for them. There’s the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Dani Alves but they’re not the best defensively are they? We already know City have got goals in them if they can get everyone else fit. Maybe this is their year. Maybe they can get a little bit of revenge."