London: Carrying impressive domestic form into Europe, Arsenal can clinch a place in the next round of the Champions League against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday.
The Gunners missed the chance to advance two weeks ago when they managed only a 0-0 draw against visiting Marseille, but are now on a run of five straight Premier League wins as they prepare to host the German champions.
Arsenal's in-form striker Robin van Persie will start the Group F match at the Emirates Stadium. Van Persie, who has scored 35 goals in all competitions this year and 10 in his last seven appearances, did not start the game against Marseille. The Dutch international came off the bench for the last 28 minutes, in a match that ended in a draw.
"He started on the bench last time because we had some medical concerns, but we have no medical concerns at all now which means he will start," manager Arsene Wenger told reporters on Tuesday. "Every player and member of staff is conscious this is a big night for us and we have the desire to go out and win the game."
With van Persie having scored 13 goals in 12 domestic appearances for Arsenal - and targeting a third goal in this season's Champions League - Arsenal expect to progress in front of their own fans in their final group match at the Emirates.
But Dortmund are on a high after a 1-0 win at Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich on Saturday and are desperate for victory to prolong their interest in the tournament going into the final group matches on December 5-6.
"For us, the match in London is like a final," Dortmund midfielder Kevin Grosskreutz said. "We'll give it all we have."
And like Arsenal, Dortmund are in fine form. With 19 points from the last seven Bundesliga games, Dortmund trail early season pacesetters Bayern by just two points.
"There's almost nothing better than beating a good team," Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp said after beating Bayern. "We have to do it again on Wednesday, even if Arsenal have another playing style. But we've shown that we can live with the big teams."
Serbia defender Neven Subotic remains sidelined for the German side with a facial fracture into which he had three plates fitted in his upper jaw and eye socket. Defender Mats Hummels and midfielder Lars Bender are battling colds but are expected to play.
Dortmund have overcome a shaky season start and gave themselves renewed hope of making the last-16 - after losses to Olympiakos and Marseille and a draw with Arsenal - by beating Olympiakos on the fourth match day.
But Arsenal and Van Persie present a huge obstacle to further progress, particularly with the Dutchman's partnership with winger Theo Walcott flourishing.
"We just love playing together," Walcott said. "Over the past few years, I have had my injuries and he has had his, so we have not been able to sustain a run of games together. But this year you can see signs that we just know where each other is going to be on the pitch."
"Robin is one of the best strikers in the world right now and a great leader too. But then the whole team is gelling now."
Arsenal will be without Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky, who is unable to play against one of his former clubs because of a thigh strain. Abou Diaby takes his place in the squad.
A draw could see Arsenal through to the knock-out stages, but they will want a victory to keep them on course to finish top of the group. The Londoners have eight points from four games, followed by Marseille (7), Dortmund (4) and Olympiakos Piraeus (3).
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