He may not have mentioned them by name, but Arsene Wenger has a feeling that, when the balls are drawn today, it will be mighty Barcelona who are paired with his Arsenal side.
Not that Wenger fears a conspiracy, even if Manchester United and Liverpool legends Sir Bobby Charlton and Ronnie Whelan have been charged with the task of deciding Arsenal's Champions League last-16 opponents at the ceremony in Nyon, Switzerland.
Rather, Wenger feels it is simply fate that the two sides who play arguably the most attractive football in Europe will meet for the second consecutive season - and, judging by his comments, the Arsenal manager is not too perturbed by the fact his side will be taking on a team who destroyed Real Madrid 5-0 this season and claimed a 6-2 aggregate win over the Gunners last season.
'I know who we will get, at that level you need connections,' quipped Wenger before suggesting the Catalan giants could even be his preferred opponents.
'If I say we want Barcelona you won't believe me. I hope we get who I feel we will get.'
Most Arsenal fans will be crossing their fingers that Schalke are left standing in the way of a place in the last eight.
Having forfeited the chance of avoiding Barca by failing to steer his side to top spot in their group, Wenger has little choice other than to accept what comes his way, even if that means taking on a team who, in his opinion, offer the best example of the type of football he is trying to reproduce at Arsenal.
'Barcelona were outstanding against Real Madrid,' said Wenger.
'It was some of the best football I've ever seen. What was surprising was that they had no weak moment in that game. Their determination and focus for 90 minutes were spot on.
'The quality was unbelievable. When you see a performance like that you are encouraged to get to that level. It is good that teams show how well you can play football.'
Should Wenger's hunch prove correct and should Barca get anywhere close to that level, Arsenal's players will have little option but to learn from what is sure to be a lesson in how to play the game.
Not that Wenger fears a conspiracy, even if Manchester United and Liverpool legends Sir Bobby Charlton and Ronnie Whelan have been charged with the task of deciding Arsenal's Champions League last-16 opponents at the ceremony in Nyon, Switzerland.
Rather, Wenger feels it is simply fate that the two sides who play arguably the most attractive football in Europe will meet for the second consecutive season - and, judging by his comments, the Arsenal manager is not too perturbed by the fact his side will be taking on a team who destroyed Real Madrid 5-0 this season and claimed a 6-2 aggregate win over the Gunners last season.
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THE DRAW...
The draw for the last 16 in the Champions League will take place in Nyon, Switzerland, at 11am.
The first legs are on February 15 and 16 and February 22 and 23 and the second legs on March 8 and 9 and March 15 and 16.
The group winners will be at home in the second leg.
A club cannot draw a team from their country or one they faced in their group.
The first legs are on February 15 and 16 and February 22 and 23 and the second legs on March 8 and 9 and March 15 and 16.
The group winners will be at home in the second leg.
A club cannot draw a team from their country or one they faced in their group.
Most Arsenal fans will be crossing their fingers that Schalke are left standing in the way of a place in the last eight.
Having forfeited the chance of avoiding Barca by failing to steer his side to top spot in their group, Wenger has little choice other than to accept what comes his way, even if that means taking on a team who, in his opinion, offer the best example of the type of football he is trying to reproduce at Arsenal.
'Barcelona were outstanding against Real Madrid,' said Wenger.
'It was some of the best football I've ever seen. What was surprising was that they had no weak moment in that game. Their determination and focus for 90 minutes were spot on.
'The quality was unbelievable. When you see a performance like that you are encouraged to get to that level. It is good that teams show how well you can play football.'
Should Wenger's hunch prove correct and should Barca get anywhere close to that level, Arsenal's players will have little option but to learn from what is sure to be a lesson in how to play the game.
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