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Arsenal draw champions AC Milan Arsenal draw champions AC Milan
(about 1 hour later)
Arsenal have been paired with reigning Champions League title-holders AC Milan in the draw for the last 16.Arsenal have been paired with reigning Champions League title-holders AC Milan in the draw for the last 16.
Arsene Wenger's side and seven-time winners Milan meet for the first time in this competition, with the first leg at the Emirates Stadium in February.Arsene Wenger's side and seven-time winners Milan meet for the first time in this competition, with the first leg at the Emirates Stadium in February.
Celtic face the 2006 winners Barcelona, while Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will have to guide his side past French champions Lyon.Celtic face the 2006 winners Barcelona, while Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will have to guide his side past French champions Lyon.
Liverpool take on Inter Milan and Chelsea are up against Olympiakos.Liverpool take on Inter Milan and Chelsea are up against Olympiakos.
Interview: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/player/sol/newsid_7150000/newsid_7155700?redirect=7155796.stm&news=1&bbwm=1&bbram=1&nbram=1&nbwm=1" onClick="javascript:newsi.utils.av.launch({el:this});return false;">Interview: Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/player/sol/newsid_7150000/newsid_7155800?redirect=7155888.stm&news=1&nbram=1&bbram=1&nbwm=1&bbwm=1" onClick="javascript:newsi.utils.av.launch({el:this});return false;">Interview: Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/player/sol/newsid_7150000/newsid_7156300?redirect=7156307.stm&news=1&nbwm=1&nbram=1&bbwm=1&bbram=1" onClick="javascript:newsi.utils.av.launch({el:this});return false;">Interview: Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/player/sol/newsid_7150000/newsid_7156200?redirect=7156271.stm&news=1&nbram=1&bbram=1&nbwm=1&bbwm=1" onClick="javascript:newsi.utils.av.launch({el:this});return false;">Interview: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
Manchester United and Chelsea will both have the benefit of playing their second-leg games at home after finishing top of their qualifying groups.Manchester United and Chelsea will both have the benefit of playing their second-leg games at home after finishing top of their qualifying groups.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson described Lyon, who knocked Rangers out in the group phase, as the toughest opponents they could have been drawn against.United manager Sir Alex Ferguson described Lyon, who knocked Rangers out in the group phase, as the toughest opponents they could have been drawn against.
606: DEBATE Discuss the full ramifications of the draw on 606606: DEBATE Discuss the full ramifications of the draw on 606
"They have won their championship for the last six years now which is an incredible record," he said."They have won their championship for the last six years now which is an incredible record," he said.
"You never expect easy games at this stage of the European Cup, but hopefully we can navigate that and go on to bigger things. But it's an interesting tie.""You never expect easy games at this stage of the European Cup, but hopefully we can navigate that and go on to bigger things. But it's an interesting tie."
Arsenal, Celtic and Liverpool will all hope to set up platforms in their first-leg ties before potentially tricky away trips, having finished second in their groups.Arsenal, Celtic and Liverpool will all hope to set up platforms in their first-leg ties before potentially tricky away trips, having finished second in their groups.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is optimistic that his young side can overcome champions Milan.Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is optimistic that his young side can overcome champions Milan.
"It's an interesting draw," said the Frenchman. "I believe we can do it if we play at our best. It's a good target for us to get stronger for the match."It's an interesting draw," said the Frenchman. "I believe we can do it if we play at our best. It's a good target for us to get stronger for the match.
It's a big one but was it going to be whoever we had drawn Liverpool chief Rick ParryIt's a big one but was it going to be whoever we had drawn Liverpool chief Rick Parry
"That's achievable because we have plenty of young players who are improving, as we saw against Blackburn in the Carling Cup."That's achievable because we have plenty of young players who are improving, as we saw against Blackburn in the Carling Cup.
"It's an exciting draw. If you look at last season's results then it's the hardest draw because they are the champions."It's an exciting draw. If you look at last season's results then it's the hardest draw because they are the champions.
"It's a big challenge but if you ask me do we have a chance to knock them out then I say 'yes'."It's a big challenge but if you ask me do we have a chance to knock them out then I say 'yes'.
"After what happened two seasons ago we have a job to do. We must do it the hard way but we're not responsible for the draw."After what happened two seasons ago we have a job to do. We must do it the hard way but we're not responsible for the draw.
"If you want to win the Champions League then you have to beat the biggest clubs. AC Milan are a very big team - world and European champions. But we can do it.""If you want to win the Champions League then you have to beat the biggest clubs. AC Milan are a very big team - world and European champions. But we can do it."
AC Milan director Umberto Gandini believes his team have been given the toughest draw.AC Milan director Umberto Gandini believes his team have been given the toughest draw.
"Arsenal is probably the worst possible draw we could get," he told BBC Radio Five Live. "Arsenal is an excellent team, very well coached by Arsene Wenger with a lot of young talent."Arsenal is probably the worst possible draw we could get," he told BBC Radio Five Live. "Arsenal is an excellent team, very well coached by Arsene Wenger with a lot of young talent.
"But they will be playing against the reigning champions and world (club) champions with some of the best players in the world. It will be a fantastic tie for the fans."But they will be playing against the reigning champions and world (club) champions with some of the best players in the world. It will be a fantastic tie for the fans.
"It is Milan v England, with Inter playing Liverpool.""It is Milan v England, with Inter playing Liverpool."
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez said his team will draw on the experience of winning the tournament in 2005 and finishing runners-up last year.Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez said his team will draw on the experience of winning the tournament in 2005 and finishing runners-up last year.
We've got a good home record and hopefully that will help us go through Celtic chief Peter LawwellWe've got a good home record and hopefully that will help us go through Celtic chief Peter Lawwell
"Everybody was expecting a difficult draw and Inter Milan are one of the top sides," he said."Everybody was expecting a difficult draw and Inter Milan are one of the top sides," he said.
"They have good players and experience in Europe. It is very difficult but we know the team and we have confidence in ourselves."They have good players and experience in Europe. It is very difficult but we know the team and we have confidence in ourselves.
"All the teams are difficult to beat but we have some experience of this. Hopefully we will see another of those performances in the knockout stages."All the teams are difficult to beat but we have some experience of this. Hopefully we will see another of those performances in the knockout stages.
"I think they (Inter) will be worried, for sure. They know we are a good team and anything can happen in two months' time.""I think they (Inter) will be worried, for sure. They know we are a good team and anything can happen in two months' time."
Liverpool's opponents will make life as difficult as possible for Benitez's men, according to Inter's chief executive Ernesto Paolillo.Liverpool's opponents will make life as difficult as possible for Benitez's men, according to Inter's chief executive Ernesto Paolillo.
"We feel Liverpool are the strongest team, what better team to have as an opponent?" he said."We feel Liverpool are the strongest team, what better team to have as an opponent?" he said.
"I think Liverpool will make it difficult for us and I hope it will be difficult for them as well."I think Liverpool will make it difficult for us and I hope it will be difficult for them as well.
"The history is in favour of Liverpool but our team has been in good form so I hope we will be in the right condition to win this match.""The history is in favour of Liverpool but our team has been in good form so I hope we will be in the right condition to win this match."
Meanwhile, Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell believes that his side's impressive record at home may help them against Catalan giants Barcelona.Meanwhile, Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell believes that his side's impressive record at home may help them against Catalan giants Barcelona.
"Manager Gordon Strachan has done a fantastic job to get us into the last 16 two years in a row and he will have them prepared," he said. "Bring them on."Manager Gordon Strachan has done a fantastic job to get us into the last 16 two years in a row and he will have them prepared," he said. "Bring them on.
"We've got a good home record and hopefully that will help us go through. Any team we got we would be the underdogs. We hope to give a great account of ourselves.""We've got a good home record and hopefully that will help us go through. Any team we got we would be the underdogs. We hope to give a great account of ourselves."


Full draw:Full draw:
Celtic v BarcelonaLyon v Manchester UnitedSchalke v PortoLiverpool v Inter MilanRoma v Real MadridArsenal v AC MilanOlympiakos v ChelseaFenerbahce v SevillaCeltic v BarcelonaLyon v Manchester UnitedSchalke v PortoLiverpool v Inter MilanRoma v Real MadridArsenal v AC MilanOlympiakos v ChelseaFenerbahce v Sevilla
(Ties to be played on 19/20 February and 4/5 March)(Ties to be played on 19/20 February and 4/5 March)