Dortmund is not a walkover for Gunners

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.

With Robin van Persie having scored 13 goals in 12 domestic appearances for Arsenal — and targeting a third goal in this season's Champions League — Arsenal expects to progress in front of its own fans in its final group match at Emirates Stadium.

But Dortmund is on a high after a 1-0 win at Bundesliga leader Bayern Munich on Saturday and desperate for victory to prolong its interest in the tournament going into the final group matches on Dec. 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 is in fine form. With 19 points from the last seven Bundesliga games, Dortmund trails early season pacesetter 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 has overcome a shaky season start and gave itself renewed hope of making the last 16 — after loses 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."