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Champions League draw: Arsenal, Man United, Man City, Chelsea and Celtic groups assessed

Image: Shock: Can Celtic stun Barcelona again?

The Champions League group stage draw threw up a number of intriguing challenges for the British sides in the competition.

Group D - Bayern Munich, CSKA Moscow, Man City, Viktoria Plzen

Redknapp: Considering City are in pot C and what they had to go up against last year, this is a great group for them. They had Dortmund and Real Madrid and Ajax last year and that's as tough as it comes. But I'd be amazed if they don't get out of this group. They have the quality players and they've improved. They have to get out of that. There'll be no excuses this time because they'll never get a better chance while they're in pot C. This has fallen kindly for them. Nicholas: They've been waiting for a bit of luck in this competition and not been convincing at times but this is a no excuse situation for Manuel Pellegrini. He must get through this - and he should. They need Vincent Kompany fit soon though because last season their defending was their Achilles heel. They've got bags of talent going forward but are still vulnerable and lack experience in this competition. Yorke: I agree 100%. City are relatively new in this comeptiton. They had two years under Roberto Mancini without really progressing or making anything happen. This is a great opportunity for them to progress from the group stage, though, and if they don't there are some serious questions that need to be asked. The one thing to look at is the travel arrangements but it is straightforward to players now: you get on the plane and it is all prepared for you - there's no excuses. Yes, it's a four, five hour journey to Moscow but that's nothing to these players. The one question is if they get Munich early can they put up a resilient performance and show what they're capable of?

Group E - Chelsea, Schalke, Basel, Steaua Bucharest

Redknapp: I don't think they could have had a better draw if Jose had done it himself; it's absolutely perfect for them. Schalke have got to the quarter-finals in two out of the last three years while Chelsea beat Basel in the semis of the Europa League last season, although Basel did beat Spurs so they have some quality. With Steaua the only problem is geographically it's a long trip for them. But that's a really, really good draw for Chelsea. Nicholas: All the dangers that were spinning around Chelsea never came into it and Chelsea have got a comfortable group. They've got a touch. Yorke: Chelsea will look at these teams and fancy their chances. The draw has been very kind to them and Jose and the players will be delighted with that. Even though they are good teams you expect Chelsea to advance quite easily. Jose can get the best out of them and the Champions League will be something he'll want to achieve with them this year. I expect them to advance through the group stages and be a threat. No one will like playing against them.

Group F - Arsenal, Marseille, Borussia Dortmund, Napoli

Nicholas: It's terrifying! It scares me! We always beat Marseille home and away but then I'm thinking 'oh no' when we get Dortmund. Two seasons ago we got a draw there, but this isn't the Arsenal team of two years ago and we need to add to it. But Napoli is a horror, too. They have Gonzalo Higuain; I said Arsenal missed a trick when they didn't buy him and will he come back and haunt them? We know their manager Rafa Benitez can go there and do well; Napoli played at the Emirates in pre-season where it ended up a draw but they gave Arsenal a tough time. Napoli have added good bodies and this is a very, very difficult draw for Arsenal as it stands right now. Higuain is a goal scorer and that's what Arsenal struggle with. Redknapp: Arsene Wenger always seems to manage to do it but this will be one of his best Champions League efforts if he can get Arsenal out of this group. Yorke: Arsene Wenger knows he needs to strengthen his team. Mathieu Flamini joining will be a good addition to his squad and I'm expecting a few more signings before the market closes. But I think Arsenal will have enough in their locker, if they can get one or two more players added to their squad, and I expect them to qualify as well.

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