Arsenal will play Juventus in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. The Gunners, who beat Real Madrid to reach the last eight, were paired with the Italian giants in today’s draw in Paris.

Arsene Wenger's side will play the first leg at home on March 28th with the return in Turin on April 5th.

The tie will see Arsenal come up against their former midfielder Patrick Vieira, who left the club last summer.

Liverpool beat Juve at the same stage of the competition last season before advancing to win the trophy.

If they progress, the Gunners will play the winners of the tie between Inter Milan and Ajax - who play their last-16 match next week - and Villarreal in the semi-finals.

In the other quarter-finals ties Lyon will play AC Milan, and Benfica will face favourites Barcelona, who knocked out Chelsea.

Gunners vice-chairman David Dein believes Vieira will receive a warm welcome when Juve come to Highbury.

"It will be nice to see Patrick Vieira back at Highbury," Dein said. "He'll get a very warm reception, he was a great captain and had nine great years with us."

"They don't come more glamorous than the draws we've had," Dein added. "Our boys are looking good, we'll be up for it. This is another big stepping stone for the club."

Juve official Romy Gai hopes his side can improve on last season when they were knocked out by Liverpool at the quarter-final stage.

"We hope we can do something better than last season," Gai said. "We have to demonstrate we can come back. You have to learn from your mistakes and get better every year."

Gai, however, is wary of Arsenal despite their indifferent form in the Premiership. "They were in good shape to beat Real Madrid, which is never easy, so it will be a tough game," he added.

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard, who lifted the trophy last season, was invited to the draw ceremony.

"It's really good for English football when teams do well," Gerrard said. "Arsenal have definitely got the players to go all the way if they keep Thierry Henry and their match-winners fit."

Quarter-finals

Arsenal v Juventus
Lyon v AC Milan
Inter/Ajax v Villarreal
Benfica v Barcelona

First legs to be played on March 28 & 29.
Second legs to be played on April 4 & 5.

Semi-finals

Arsenal/Juventus v Inter/Ajax/Villarreal
Lyon/AC Milan v Benfica/Barcelona

First legs to be played on April 18 and 19.
Second legs to be played on April 25 and 26.