It is often said this is where the competition really begins to flourish after the minnows and Europa League candidates have exited the competition in the Group phase. But there is a more important result following the group stage, that being the positioning of the group's qualifiers.
Arsenal will host Bayern again knowing their failure to top their group may cost them further progression in a competition they have never won. Manchester City will go in to their tie with Barcelona also rueing a missed opportunity to pip Bayern to top spot in their group.
Facing these high calibre clubs so early on in the knockout phase and with their guaranteed advantage of playing away from home first for winning their group can not only knock them out of the Champions League but additionally detrimental to their entire season. Arsenal fans will be the first to tell you that.
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