The Champions League group stages get under way tomorrow – and the pressure is firmly on our four entrants.

Last season was a massive disappointment, with Liverpool going out after the mini-league phase and Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City dumped from the round of 16.

Sure, City lost to the eventual winners Barcelona.

But that’s the level they want to be competing at, and while their Champions League record does show a degree of progress, the powers that be will want to see things stepped up.

That will certainly be the case after City splashed the cash to land Belgian international Kevin De Bruyne, England star Raheem Sterling and Argentinian ace Nicolas Otamendi during the transfer window.

Former Chelsea man De Bruyne moved from Wolfsburg for an eye-watering £54m, fellow midfielder Sterling from Liverpool for £44m and centre-back Otamendi from Valencia for £32m.

Many argue City have paid over the odds, but they have certainly recruited some talent.

Now they have to get past Juventus, their opening opponents at the Etihad, Sevilla and Borussia Monchengladbach in Group D.

Manchester United return to Europe’s top table with a trip to Holland to face PSV complete with Anthony Martial in the ranks.

The French striker is now the most expensive teenager in football history after his £36m move from Monaco.

It was a huge fee for a relatively unknown player, and Louis van Gaal has really staked his reputation on this signing.

It’s hard to know how Martial will do because he has played so little.

All this talk of Martial kind of makes you forget United paid £31m for Memphis Depay.

The Dutch winger is making a quick return to Eindhoven after spending four year at PSV.

CSKA Moscow and Wolfsburg are the other sides in United’s group.

Despite the big spending of the Mancunian sides, most bookies see Chelsea as England’s likeliest Champions League winner.

Porto, Dynamo Kiev and opening opponents Maccabi Tel Aviv stand between the 2012 winners and the round of 16.

Arsenal are playing Champions League football for the 18th successive season.

But the demand and desire for success remains as high as ever.

And wouldn’t Arsene Wenger like to answer his critics by leading the Gunners on a great run?

First up are Dinamo Zagreb, and Bayern Munich and Olympiacos are also in Arsenal’s way.