Champions League draw delivers

That annoying bald chap who is always at the draw, has delivered again. With help from the usual former European greats, he has really drawn up some mouth watering groups. So what are the fates of our British teams?

The draw, as ever it seems, has been kind to Chelsea. The 2011/2012 winners have been paired with German side Schalke, last seasons Europa League semi final opponents FC Basel, and Steaua Bucharest of Romania. It looks like a group Chelsea should not only qualify from, but top. Their Champions League experience is now up there with any club in the competition, and they will be looking to win it. Make no mistake about that. I do get the feeling however, Mourinho is slightly ore focused on the domestic league. However we all know Abramovich's love affair with the European Cup, he will be expecting to challenge. I look at Chelsea's attacking players, an I believe it could rival almost any sides in this years tournament. Mata, Hazard, Schurrle, Ba, Torres, Oscar, Moses, Eto'o, Willian and Lukaku is pretty formidable. A good balance of youthful exuberance and experienced heads will stand Chelsea in good stead. I think they'll romp their group, and go on to have a good campaign.

Eto'o will be hoping he and Jose can repeat the Inter success of 2010

David Moyes first bite at the Champions League group stage will be an interesting one. Previously he had only been involved in qualifiers with Everton, crashing out to Villarreal in 2005. Now Moyes has gone to managing one of the heavyweights of European football. You have to say United's group is perhaps the most mysterious. Shakhtar Donetsk are even more unknown as before. They've lost Fernandinho, Rat, Willian and Mkhitaryan this summer. So you would assume they will be considerably weaker. It just depends on how they've restrengthened. You can be sure its never an easy away trip though. From Pot C, United drew Bayer Leverkusen, a side they have history with. Leverkusen upset the odds in 2002, winning on away goals after a 3-3 aggregate score. Leverkusen aren't the same side as then, but they have started the Bundesliga well, they are currently 3rd in the league table, having won 3 out of 3 games. They also have a game in hand on Bayern Munich with a chance of going top. They will posses a difficult test. Real Sociedad were the final side in United's group, and the Spanish side will not be a push over. They did amazingly to finish fourth in La Liga last season and they comfortably overcame French giants Lyon in the qualifiers, beating them 4-0 on aggregate. Spearheaded by Mexican striker Carlos Vela, Sociedad will be a tough game, especially away from home.

Moyes' debut Champions League season starts with a sticky group

There is huge expectation and pressure on Manchester City time around. We all know one of the reasons Mancini was sacked was because of the clubs twice failure to get our of the group stage. t wasn't good enough for a team with big ambitions, especially once they had become champions of England. In their defence, they have had the hardest group of all both years they have been in the tournament. This year they have finally avoided the group of death, and find themselves with a group they simply must qualify from. No excuses this time around, City must progress. The first sign of pressure for Pellegrini. He will know the club and fans expecting progression. Who are the teams? City, who were a pick from Pot 3, were drawn with current UEFA Champions League holders Bayern Munich, CSKA Moscow of Russia, and Viktoria Pizen, lasts seasons Czech Republic domestic champions. Of course, the Bayern Munich games will be an incredible test for City, and Bayern will be expected to top the group. It seems like a straight fight between City and CSKA for second spot. As mentioned, Cty should have no real problems, a cold 5pm kick off on an artificial pitch will be strange, but that should not stop City's quality. Pizen are of course pretty unknown, the away trip could be sticky, as they will be right up for it, but as a game of football City should win home and away. This must be the season for City.

City must progress this season under Pellegrini

The last thing Arsene Wenger wanted from the draw, was a tough group. Wenger of course is under massive pressure to sign some big name players as the fans grow restless with the snail pace of the Frenchman. A tough draw is exactly hat Mr Wenger got. With just free transfers Flamini and Yaya Sanogo coming in as reinforcements, Arsenal have been drawn a tough, tough group. Last seasons Ligue 1 runners up Marseille, last seasons Champons League runners up Borussia Dortmund and last seasons Serie A runners up Napoli. Who of course possess Gonzalo Higuain. The Argentinian striker was expected to sign for Arsenal this summer only to end up at Rafa Benitez's Napoli. I don't personally see Marseille as a threat to Arsenal they should beat them home and away. It's the other two sides that will be challenging Arsenal for the top two spots. Dortmund of course did amazingly well to reach Wembley last year, and will be hoping to reach Estádio do Sport Lisboa e (The Stadium of Light) The home of SLB Benfica will host the final this year. It's a really hard group for Arsenal, and they will have to have their home form in immaculate condition to progress. They do have a fantastic record of progressing from the group stage, as we all know. But this one will be the hardest group they've had in a long time. As their squad stands now, I can't see them topping Napoli and Dotmund for the top two spots.

Wenger needs reinforcements, and quickly

Now to the group everybody has their eyes on. Group H. The four clubs combined have won Europe's top prize a magical 16 times. The history, prestige and glamour of the four clubs make this my personal favorite group. Spanish Champions FC Barcelona, Scottish Champions Celtic, Dutch Champions Ajax, and 7 times European Cup/Champions League winners AC Milan make up this group. It truly has that magical feel to it. And yo know every game is going to be a fantastic spectacle. These classic giants of European football will not find it easy against each other however. Everybody will be looking at Celtic and feeling they need to take 6 points off them. However, that will be no easy task travelling to Celtic Park, as that unique crackling atmosphere will raise Celtic's players. Just as it has on countless occasions over the years. Away from home they can be tough too. Remember last season they only just lost 2-1 away at Barcelona, Jordi Alba scoring a 90th minute goal. Barcelona of course will be expected to top the group, but their club refusual not to buy a natural centre half, and rely on Song, Mascherano, Adriano etc. To partner Pique could cost them. (Puyol is ruled out until December) That is their weakness. Milan will have their eye on that second spot, and you would expect them to be able to beat both Ajax and Celtic. As much as Ajax are a glorious club, steeped in tradition and history, they are not currently up to the standards of Milan and Barcelona. Selling Christian Eriksen to Spurs will not be a popular decision in Amsterdam. I personally can't wait or the whole tournament to kick off, nd I will have my eye firmly on Group H for real classic European football.

Celtic have hit the jackpot in terms of glamour