Arsenal vs Monaco: Arsene Wenger reunited with Monaco as Gunners face French side for the first time after Champions League draw

Wenger was Monaco manager between 1987 and 1994

Arsene Wenger looks on from the touchline (Getty Images)

Despite finishing second of their group, the Champions League draw was kinder to Arsenal this season than it has been in recent years, with the Gunners drawing Ligue 1 side Monaco.

Champions League draw - as it happened

The Gunners have been knocked out in the round of 16 in the last four successive seasons.

The perennial group stage runners-up could have been drawn with Barcelona, Bayern Munich, or the holders Real Madrid but instead face the side currently sixth in Ligue 1.

While Arsenal have never faced Monaco in a competitive match, they do have history.

Arsene Wenger was Monaco manager between 1987 and 1994. He won the league title with the club in 1988.

Wenger said at the weekend how he looks back on his time at Monaco fondly.

"I have great memories from my time there," Wenger said.

"They gave me a chance when I was a very young manager. When I arrived they had never passed the first round in the European Cup; we had good times.”

Seeded group winners will be away in the round of 16 first legs on 17/18 and 24/25 February and at home in the return matches on 10/11 and 17/18 March, meaning Chelsea will be on their travels to Paris in February before Arsenal and Manchester City head to France and Spain respectively in March.