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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
World
Kishan Vaghela

Europa League last 16 draw: Arsenal to play Rennes while Chelsea paired with Dynamo Kiev

Chelsea will face a trip to Dynamo Kiev of Ukraine in the last 16 of the Europa League, where Arsenal take on French club Rennes.

Friday's draw in Nyon was not protected by any seeding but teams from Russia and Ukraine were kept apart. Dynamo Kiev were first out against Chelsea.

The first legs of the last-16 ties are set for March 7, when both Premier League teams will be at home.

The returns will taking place on March 14 as the London clubs look to stay on course for the final in Baku. Relive the draw below.


Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of today's Europa League last 16 draw.
Arsenal and Chelsea remain the only British interests left in this season's Europa League.
 
Here are the 16 teams that will be drawn come 12pm today:
 
Arsenal
Benfica
Chelsea
Dinamo Zagreb
Dynamo Kiev
Eintracht Frankfurt
Inter Milan
Krasnodar
Napoli
Rennes
Salzburg
Sevilla
Slavia Prague
Valencia
Villarreal
Zenit
Callum Hudson-Odoi's performance last night against Malmo was one of the talking points before and after Chelsea's 3-0 (5-1) win over the Swedish side at Stamford Bridge.
 
However, Maurizio Sarri said that he would have to sell another winger for the 18-year-old to feature more regularly, a policy the Italian sees as dangerous.
 
However, the two-year transfer ban imposed on the Blues by FIFA this morning adds another complication to the teenage prospect's future, who was the subject of bids from Bayern Munich in January.
 
A reminder of the key dates in the Europa League calendar for the rest of the season:
 
March 7 - Round of 16 first leg
March 14 - Round of 16 second leg
March 15 - Europa League quarter-final and semi-final draw
April 11 - Quarter-final first leg
April 18 - Quarter-final second leg
May 2 - Semi-final first leg
May 9 - Semi-final second leg
May 29 - Final at the Olympic Stadium in Baku, Azerbaijan
The other talking point from the Europa League last night was the return of Mesut Ozil to the Arsenal side in the Gunners' 3-0 (3-1) victory over BATE Borisov.
 
The former Germany international had not featured for Unai Emery's side since late January, but it was one of Ozil's fellow teammates who urged the manager to give him a more consistent run in the side.
 
Worth noting that there is no seeding or country protection from the last 16 onwards, so there could be another clash between city rivals Arsenal and Chelsea.
 
However, special dispensation has been given to teams from Russia and the Ukraine, who cannot be drawn against each other as agreed by the UEFA Executive Committee.
 
 
Imagine the atmosphere at the Gazprom Arena for the last 16....
 
Arsenal and Chelsea will arguably need more consistent performances as they head towards the latter stages of the competition, but check out our player ratings from the Emirates and Stamford Bridge last night.
 
Possibly the most entertaining tie of the round of 32 was the one between Real Betis and Stade Rennes.
 
After a 3-3 in the first leg in France, the second leg saw the French side pull off a remarkable 3-1 win in Seville to win the tie 6-4 on aggregate, and this man was excellent in both legs.
 
 
 
A man who knows a thing or two about scoring in a Europa League final.
 
Ivanovic scored in injury time to give Chelsea the trophy six years ago in Amsterdam with a 2-1 win against Benfica.
 
Of course, one of the biggest sides still remaining in the competition is Inter Milan.
 
Inter Milan however have had commensurate drama to Arsenal and Chelsea this season, with Radja Nainggolan suspended around the festive period.
 
That came before striker Mauro Icardi was stripped of the captaincy, since which the Argentine has not played for Inter.
 
However, manager Luciano Spalletti would not be drawn on whether his side would fare better without the 26-year-old after their 4-0 win against Rapid Vienna last night.
 
"We are improving and making fewer silly mistakes than before, but it is not fair to connect this to something else which has happened during his period," Spalletti said.

"We should look at this from the correct angle which is that the team is working hard and making fewer mistakes."
 
So, just 10 minutes to go until the draw in Nyon in Switzerland for the next round of the Europa League.
 
With the battle for the top four in the Premier League more intense than ever before, the Europa League represents a viable second option for Champions League qualification for Arsenal and Chelsea.
 
However, should the draw pit the city rivals against each other, the drama of a difficult season for both Unai Emery and Maurizio Sarri would continue.
Here's a reminder of the 16 teams involved:
 
Arsenal
Benfica
Chelsea
Dinamo Zagreb
Dynamo Kiev
Eintracht Frankfurt
Inter Milan
Krasnodar
Napoli
Rennes
Salzburg
Sevilla
Slavia Prague
Valencia
Villarreal
Zenit
So, the usual highlights and introductions taking place currently in Nyon, with Italian legend Giorgio Marchetti now on stage.
 
He is then joined by the Europa League final ambassador and former Valencia and Sevilla goalkeeper Andres Palop. 
 
The 45-year-old is currently coaching UD Ibiza.
So, we're nearly there. Drum rolls at the ready........
And the first team out of the hat is.....
 
CHELSEA!
And they will face......
 
Dynamo Kiev!
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Inter Milan
Dinamo Zagreb vs Benfica
Napoli vs Salzburg

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