Check out pics of 6 players to watch out for in the Champions league knockout stage.

After a very exciting group stage, the Champions League is into the knockouts. As the road to success becomes more challenging, the quality of players on show goes up.

Talents from different continents will feature for the 16 remaining European clubs as sides battle it out to reach the final on May 24, 2014 at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon, Portugal.

But just who should fans watch out for?

Here are 6 of the most important and exciting players on show in Europe’s premier competition this season.

Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger's transfer deadline day capture Mesut Özil (pictured, right) has continued the form that made him one of Europe's best playmakers in his debut Champions League campaign for the Gunners.The former Schalke 04 and Werder Bremen player had a staggering 92 assists to his name at all levels over the past three seasons – 14 of which came in the Champions League – more than any player on the continent.

German club Schalke are currently blessed with a crop of gifted young midfielders such as Max Meyer, Leon Goretzka, Christian Clemens – but 19-year-old Julian Draxler could well be their most valuable in this Champions League campaign.

After an injury-hampered start at Real Madrid, Welshman Gareth Bale has been a major feature of this season’s Champions League. finally completing his protracted, record breaking transfer to Real Madrid from Tottenham in August, .He certainly has the ability to be an influential player in any success Los Blancos have this year. Nine goals and six assists so far highlight his attacking threat.

There are a few impressive, young goalkeepers in this season’s Champions League such as Bernd Leno of Bayer Leverkusen and David de Gea of Manchester United to name two – however Atlético Madrid’s on-loan Thibaut Courtois could well be the most important.The 21-year-old has extended his stay in the Spanish capital from parent club Chelsea for another year after a fine 2012-13 season. 

New Borussia Dortmund forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has shone in an attacking line-up already brimming with exciting players.Arriving from Saint-Etienne in the offseason.

The arrival of Neymar at the Camp Nou had been almost overshadowed by Gareth Bale's transfer to rivals Real Madrid, though no one should forget just what a special young player the 21-year-old is.