The Gunners appeared to get the most favourable draw of the five British participants after being matched with Shakhtar Donetsk, Braga and Partizan Belgrade in Group H.

And with the showpiece due to be held at the national stadium for the first time since its redevelopment, Gazidis is sure there will be a big emphasis from his side as well as Tottenham and Chelsea on ensuring at least one local finalist.

"There is a real incentive for all English clubs, especially the London clubs," he told Sky Sports News.

"It's would be fantastic to play in the final in London and I know Spurs and Chelsea will feel the same way. There will probably be a mini competition within a competition there."

When asked whether English sides might re-establish the dominance they had been showing on the European stage until last year's lesser showing in the final stages, he was equivocal.

"There are so many good teams in Europe. It was probably an aberration when we had three (English clubs) in the semi-final. It's probably more usual to have a more international competition.

"Looking at the calibre of some of the other European sides, it's going to be very tough.

"We probably won't see the days of three (English) teams in the semis again this year."

Manchester United were placed in Group C with Clydesdale Bank Premier League side Rangers, Spaniards Valencia and Turkish newcomers Bursaspor.

Chief executive David Gill is looking forward to one clash in particular, and said: "There is the Rangers connection, we played them back in 2003/04 and Alex (Ferguson) and Walter Smith go back a long way.

"It will be a great atmosphere at Old Trafford and I remember when we played up there in 2003 and Phil Neville scored a fairly rare goal. It will be a great occasion, I've spoken to Sir Alex and he's looking forward to it."

On the Red Devils' other opponents, he added: "Valencia had a good season last season. We last played them in 2000, we've had five games against them and going out to Spain is always nice.

"You can talk yourself into (Bursaspor) seeming a long trip. That is the beauty of the competition, there are new teams again.

"We're looking forward to progressing to the knock-out stages."

Gill played down the draw of the final being staged at Wembley, saying "As you get nearer, the players would love to get to that but wherever the final is played it is a great occasion, it is always going to be a five-star stadium and moving it to a Saturday has enhanced the competition."

Tottenham, who secured a first Champions League group campaign with a 4-0 second-leg victory over Young Boys last night got a tough draw in Group A.

They will meet reigning champions Inter Milan, coached by former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez, Germany's Werder Bremen and Steve McClaren's one-time Dutch employers FC Twente.

But Spurs club secretary Darren Eales believes those sides may not be relishing being drawn against them.

"They say there are no easy games and it's certainly true of the group we've got," Eales told Sky Sports News.

"But in the game against Young Boys we had a wonderful atmosphere. Night games in Europe at White Hart Lane...we could be matches for anyone. We could be one of the teams people were fearful to draw.

"We're certainly not looking too far ahead, we're just looking to give a good account of ourselves and we're looking at getting into the knockout stage first, that's our first aim."

Chelsea were treated relatively kindly by the draw and will face Marseille, Spartak Moscow and MSK Zilina in Group F.

Director and club secretary David Barnard told Sky Sports News: "We've got to be fairly happy with that."

Barnard - who said Chelsea have no current signings in the offing - also hopes the fact the final is in England will be a spur.

"Since Wembley opened we've been there eight times now," he said. "You like to play a final on foreign soil, obvsiously for our supporters and the occasion, but you never know, Wembley is a lucky omen for us and may well be this year."