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Arsene Wenger

LONDON. – Arsenal are turning the toughest looking Champions League soccer group into a walk in the park so far and they would take a huge stride towards their customary place in the last 16 with victory over Borussia Dortmund tonight. A dazzling 4-1 victory over Norwich City at the weekend, in which Mesut Ozil scored twice, kept Arsenal on top of the English Premier League and had fans and commentators alike drooling over the quality of their display.

Early days it may be, but with 10 wins and two draws from their last 12 matches in all competitions, including Champions League triumphs over Marseille and Napoli in Group F, there is talk of something special brewing in north London.

Recent seasons have seen mediocre starts for Arsenal but this time, after an opening day defeat, they have raced out of the blocks with the signing of Ozil seemingly the catalyst for some breathtaking performances.

With record signing Ozil fitting into the Arsenal midfield like a silk glove, Aaron Ramsey unable to stop scoring, Jack Wilshere at his best and Santi Cazorla back from injury, manager Arsene Wenger has the look of the cat that got all the cream.

And Wenger believes Arsenal’s Champions League double-header against Borussia Dortmund will be “decisive” in the race to qualify from Group F.

Wenger’s side host last season’s runners-up tonight before heading to Dortmund for the return on matchday four.
The Gunners are currently top of their group following back-to-back wins over Marseille and Napoli.

Wenger knows another three points tonight will leave Arsenal in pole position to reach the knockout stages, but he is also well aware that Dortmund could deliver a major blow to his side’s qualification hopes.

“Dortmund have grown a lot and they look a different proposition now, maybe they were a bit impressed by us in the first group games when we met them in 2011, but this time they have gained confidence,” Wenger told Uefa.com.

“I feel we are stronger as well this season, so I think it will be very interesting.
“It is already a very important tie because usually matchday three and four usually are decisive, so that could be the key for us to qualify.”
Wenger, whose side are two points clear at the top of the Premier League following Saturday’s 4-1 win over Norwich, has a wealth of options to ponder in midfield, with the return to match fitness of Cazorla following an ankle injury.

Ramsey started on the bench against Norwich but replaced Mathieu Flamini just before half-time after the French midfielder suffered double vision following a clash of heads with Alex Tettey, leaving him rated as doubtful for the Borussia tie.
“We have a squad that is, number and quality wise, very, very good. After that in January we are not desperate (to buy) now,” Wenger said.
“If there is a good opportunity (to buy), why not? But if you know who is out injured now, they will come back in November, the beginning of December, then you have a really massive squad.

“With the number of competitions involved, everybody thinks they have a chance to play. That is what is the most important. As long as you fight for things, everybody keeps the focus.”

Wenger also revealed England winger Theo Walcott will need a couple more weeks of recovery time following a minor surgical procedure on an abdominal problem.

“Theo had a set-back on Thursday. He had to stop, to jog again, I don’t think we will see him against Dortmund, nor Crystal Palace nor Chelsea,” he said.

“He is at least two weeks away now.”
Wenger also confirmed Flamini will miss the Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund tonight. Flamini suffered a concussion in Saturday’s 4-1 Premier League win over Norwich, and although the Group F clash is vital in their potential progress to the last-16, he will not be risked.

On selection matters ahead of the home leg of that double-header, Wenger said: “Flamini is doing well, has practiced normally, but we will not play him tomorrow.

“There is a five-days (concussion) rule that we will respect, not to take any chance. It was a concussion and the doctor advised us not to play him. He will be okay for the weekend.

“I’ll leave myself 24 hours until tomorrow afternoon to decide the team.”
Last season’s runners-up Dortmund pose a considerable threat to the feeling of euphoria sweeping the Emirates stadium but victory would be a huge psychological boost, according to Mikel Arteta, another of Arsenal’s midfield gems.

“We have two very difficult games coming up against Dortmund,” Arteta told Arsenal’s website (www.arsenal.com).
“After that, we will know exactly where we are in the group. They are a very good side and they are doing well in their own league. Winning the first two games makes a difference and now we have a massive game at home.

“If we win that one we are almost there. I think this is going to be a crucial one.”
Despite reaching the last 16 for a 13th successive time last season, Arsenal paid the penalty for finishing behind Schalke in their group, getting drawn against eventual champions Bayern Munich in the first knockout round.

Schalke and Bayern both won at the Emirates stadium last season and Dortmund, who are tucked in behind Bayern in second spot in the Bundesliga after a 1-0 win against Hanover, will be confident of following their lead.

But despite their impressive 3-0 drubbing of Marseille in their last Champions League match, Dortmund arrive in London low on confidence after labouring on occasions in the Bundesliga this season.

They ground out a 1-0 win against Hanover on Saturday, with Germany winger Marco Reus netting a penalty after four minutes.
Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp conceded his side weakened as the game went on, allowing Hanover opportunities to snatch an equaliser, but he expects them to be more dynamic against Arsenal.

“We should be a step further on Tuesday (today), we know we can play better football (than we did against Hanover) and we will too. I have a good feeling,” said Klopp, who will be absent from the bench at Arsenal as he completes a two-game suspension for verbally abusing the fourth official during his team’s loss to Napoli.

Klopp’s side suffered an opening day defeat in the Champions League against Napoli when Klopp was sent to the stands after a furious outburst at an official.

Klopp, who will serve the second game of his two-match touchline ban tonight, is highly regarded across the continent and his two Bundesliga titles and a run to the Champions League final attracted plenty of interest from English Premier League clubs, according to the 46-year-old. However, he says he has unfinished business in Dortmund.

“There were some England clubs that called and wanted to speak with me,” he was quoted as saying in the Daily Mirror newspaper.
“But there was no reason to talk.

“In life you have to be at the right place at the right moment. I am in Dortmund with all I have. Definitely for the next couple of years.”
Midfielder Marco Reus and defender Marcel Schmelzer both returned to action against Hanover after injuries – a boost for Klopp whose side have three points from their opening two games in Group F after a win against Marseille.

“With a view to Tuesday (today), the Hanover win was a game that pushed us forward,” Klopp told reporters.
“Especially for those players who had only trained twice before Hanover. So we will be a further step forward when we face Arsenal.”
Dortmund will be without long-term injured Lukasz Pszczek, captain Sebastian Kehl and playmaker Ilkay Guendogan. – Soccernet.