Barcelona Forward Fearful of Arsenal and Manchester City

Barcelona forward Pedro Rodriguez is hoping his side can avoid a Champions League last 16 clash with Arsenal or Manchester City , fearing the duo pose the biggest threat to the Catalan giants.

Arsenal's defeat to Napoli in their final group tie coupled with Borussia Dortmund's late win in Marseille ensured that Jürgen Klopp's side topped their group to steer themselves away from the rest of the group winners.

And despite Manchester City's impressive 3-2 win over holders Bayern Munich - just the second time the Bavarians have thrown away a two goal lead in the competition - they were unable to pip Pep Guardiola's side to top spot by virtue of a weaker goal difference.

Both clubs could potentially be drawn against Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Paris Saint Germain or Barcelona in next week's draw, placing the Premier League duo in a difficult position whoever they may be paired with.

But Barcelona's Pedro had identified the two as the biggest obstacles in his club's quest to wrestle the Champions League back off Bayern Munich and is desperate for the draw to fall favourably for his side.

"It is obvious that Manchester City and Arsenal are the two strongest teams which we can draw," Rodriguez told Barca TV. "Hopefully we will have a little bit of luck and we will avoid them both."

Barcelona needed a win of their own to confirm their status of group winners on Wednesday night and duly obliged by battering Celtic 6-1 at the Nou Camp, as Neymar secured his first hat trick for the club.

The La Liga champions drew the Gunners in the last 16 stage during the 2010/11 European campaign, taking a 4-3 aggregate win en route to winning the competition after the Gunners took a surprise first leg lead.

The season before that an inspired Lionel Messi scored four in the second leg clash between the two clubs at the quarter final stage to help his side take a 6-3 aggregate win.

Arsenal were minutes away from going through to the knock out stages as group winners until a late Dortmund goal confined them to second. Arsene Wenger's side will now prepare to face one of Real Madrid, Paris Saint Germain, Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid or Barcelona.

Manuel Pellegrini may have guided Manchester City to their first ever appearance in the knock out stages of the competition, but a potential clash with Real Madrid, Paris Saint Germin, Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid or Barcelona threatens to stop them.