Arsenal Draw Villareal

If you scroll down to my post following the Roma match, can you recall which team was my number one preferred team to draw for the quarterfinals? That's right, Villareal was my pick and wouldn't you know it, that's who we drew.

Positive memories are associated with Pellegrini's side as Arsenal defeated Villareal in 2006 en route to their first Champions League Final. Riquelme's saved penalty thanks to Jens Lehmann put the Gunners in the final against Barcelona. As much as it is nice to have avoided Barca and the three English sides, a semifinals berth is far from certain.

I remember the match at El Madrigal and Villareal outplayed Arsenal on all fronts. Arsenal was very fortunate to get through in all honesty. This time out Arsenal will be the away side first with the return leg being at the almighty fortress that is the Emirates.

Wenger has already started playing down the fact that Arsenal are "favourites" in this tie. An aura of modesty and humbleness is all you will get from Wenger's mouth.

First leg

Tuesday, April 7 - Arsenal @ Villareal

Second leg

Wednesday, April 15 - Arsenal v. Villareal

The rest of the lot...

Manchester United also received a favorable (in the Champions League context) bid against FC Porto.

Both high-scoring sides, in the round of 16, Barcelona and Bayern Munich, will face each other.

Finally, Liverpool and Chelsea were drawn together. What's a Champions League without the Blues and the Reds battling it out with each other, right?

My predictions will follow, but for now, enjoy the NCAA tournament.