Arsenal's Mathieu Flamini hopes for anyone but Barcelona in the Champions League knockout rounds

Flamini's hope: The Arsenal midfielder is eager to avoid Barcelona
ANGELOS TZORTZINIS/AFP/Getty Images
James Benge11 December 2015

Mathieu Flamini has admitted that Arsenal fear the prospect of being drawn against Barcelona in Monday’s Champions League knockout draw.

A 3-0 away to Olympiakos on Wednesday secured a remarkable turnaround for Arsene Wenger’s side, who lost their opening two games in embarrassing circumstances.

Arsenal once more face the prospect of drawing one of Europe’s most formidable sides after finishing second to Bayern Munich in Group F. Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid lie in wait for the Gunners with Wolfsburg and Zenit St Petersburg the least imposing of a formidable quintet.

Having twice been eliminated by Lionel Messi and his brilliant teammates in thrilling 2010 and 2011 ties Flamini believes that Barcelona are the only team who Arsenal want to avoid when the draw is made.

Olympiakos vs Arsenal - player ratings

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“We obviously don’t want Barcelona as they are a top team but for the rest, we will see," he told reporters.

“We played Monaco last year and we thought it would maybe a bit easier and it was not the case.

“So whoever we play, we will give 100 per cent.”

Wenger’s side have been eliminated in the first knockout round in each of the last five seasons, a situation partially caused by their failure to top a Champions League group since 2011.

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