Arsenal managed to avoid the likes of Bayern Munich and Athletico Madrid in facing Monaco, who on paper seemed one of the weakest sides to be seeded for the draw.

Having fallen foul of finishing second in their group in the past, the Gunners, and manager Arsene Wenger, who faces his former club, will be thankful not to be playing some of the competition's giants.

The same cannot be said for Premier League champions Manchester City, who were drawn against Barcelona. City will again be ruing UEFA's ranking system after they were drawn against the Catalan side for the second year running, having faced CSKA Moscow and Bayern for the second year in a row in the group stages.

However, having had only two points from their first four group games, wins against Munich at the Eithad and away at Roma ensured they sneaked through and facing one of Europe's biggest clubs will be an acid test of where City rank amongst Europe's elite.

Chelsea, who were the only English side to top their group, will face perhaps the toughest second seeded side in the draw- French champions PSG.

The pair met last year at the quarter final stage, with Chelsea progressing before being knocked out by Athletico. There will be added interest with the subsequent departure of Brazilian defender David Luiz to the French capital for £50m.

Four of the five other ties not involving English clubs involve German sides. Reigning champions Real Madrid will look to continue their quest to become the first side to retain the Champions League when they take on Schalke.

German champions Bayern face a potentially tricky tie with Shakhtar Donnesk, who are notoriously difficult to play against away, but the German side will be fairly confident of progressing.

Last year's beaten finalists Athletico will take on Bayer Leverkusen, whilst struggling Dortmund will face off against Italian champions Juventus.

The only tie not involving a German, Spanish or English side is between Porto and Basel, the latter having qualified behind Real Madrid at the expense of Liverpool, who dropped into the Europa League last 32 draw.