Arsenal's reward for winning their Champions League group for the first time in five years is a nightmare tie with Bayern Munich in the last 16.
It will be the third time in five years that the Gunners have faced the German side at the same stage of the competition, having been knocked out by the Germans in 2013 and 2014. They also faced the Bundesliga champions in last year's group stages.
Given Arsenal's run of luck in Europe in recent years and their failure to get past the last 16 since 2010 it appeared inevitable that they would be paired with either Bayern or Real Madrid, and so it proved.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The draw will "lead to a great level of frustration among the club's staff and supporters", says The Guardian. "Having finished above Paris Saint-Germain in Group A, Arsenal hoped to be rewarded with a favourable tie. Instead, however, they will face the Bundesliga champions and five-time winners of Europe's elite competition."
The clash is the "standout" tie of the round, says the Daily Mail. "Both clubs acknowledged the familiarity immediately after the draw on social media, with the Germans replying to a tweet from Arsenal with a clip from the film 'Groundhog Day'."
But could things be different for Arsenal this time round? "Bayern have been Arsenal's nemesis over the years – they have actually taken on each other ten times in the past," says Jason Burt of the Daily Telegraph. "But this is a different Arsenal and a different, more vulnerable Bayern."
The two other English teams in the draw will be rather more pleased with their draws. Manchester City, who finished second in their group, were paired with Monaco, who twice beat Spurs in the group stages. Leicester City have a tricky tie with Sevilla, who are riding high in La Liga, but will be undaunted.
In the Europa League, Manchester United, who were unseeded, were handed a favourable tie with French side St Etienne, while Spurs, who drop down from the Champions League, face Gent.
Champions League last 16 ties
Manchester City v Monaco
Real Madrid v Napoli
Benfica v Borussia Dortmund
Bayern Munich v Arsenal
FC Porto v Juventus
Bayer Leverkusen v Atletico Madrid
Paris St-Germain v Barcelona
Sevilla v Leicester
Europa League last 32 ties
Athletic Bilbao v Apoel Nicosia
Legia Warsaw v Ajax
Anderlecht v Zenit St Petersburg
Astra Giurgiu v Genk
Manchester United v Saint-Etienne
Villarreal v Roma
Ludogorets v FC Copenhagen
Celta Vigo v Shakhtar Donetsk
Olympiakos v Osmanlispor
Gent v Tottenham Hotspur
Rostov v Sparta Prague
Krasnodar v Fenerbahce
Borussia Monchengladbach v Fiorentina
AZ Alkmaar v Lyon
Hapoel Beer Sheva v Besiktas
PAOK v Schalke
-
The IDF's manpower problemThe Explainer Israeli military's shortage of up to 12,000 troops results in call-up for tens of thousands of reservists
-
Quiz of The Week: 16 – 22 AugustQuiz Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
-
Can Soho House get its edge back?Talking Point The private members' club has lost its exclusive appeal – but a £2 billion buy-out could offer a fresh start
-
New Trafford: can it fix Manchester United's footballing problems?Talking Point Plan for £2 billion stadium despite staff job losses and lack of success on the pitch
-
Denis Law obituary: fond farewell to 'the King of the Stretford End'In the Spotlight Scottish footballer who was one of Manchester United's 'Holy Trinity' has died aged 84
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten HagTalking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
-
The 'Swiss model' shaking up the Champions LeagueIn the Spotlight Uefa says the new format offers 'greater excitement' but critics say boredom is guaranteed
-
The wit and wisdom of Sven-Göran ErikssonIn Depth The first foreign coach to manage England on football, life and death
-
The Premier League's spending cap: levelling the playing field?Talking Point Top clubs oppose plans to link spending to income of lowest-earning club, but rule could prevent success gap from widening
-
English football and the etiquette of leaving the stadium earlyTalking Point The belief that 'true fans stay to the end' does not always apply
-
Manchester United and Mason Greenwood: duty of care or double standards?Talking Point The 21-year-old footballer’s possible return has provoked an outpouring of dismay from supporters
