Arsenal will be keen to book their place in the Round of 16 of the Champions League, when they host Borussia Dortmund at the Emirates in the Group D clash on Wednesday.
Arsene Wenger's men looked to be well on course to qualify for the knockout stages of the European competition earlier this month, when they led Anderlecht 3-0 by the hour-mark, playing at home. However, they went down like a house of cards in the final 30 minutes and finished the game 3-3.
The Gunners have been in a downward spiral ever since, losing to Swansea City and Manchester United in the Premier League - both from promising positions - leading to intense criticism of Wenger from fans, pundits, former players and also figures within the club, including majority shareholder Alisher Usmanov.
The French tactician knows he is now up against the wall, and is also well aware that his team needs a positive result tonight against Dortmund - the club which beat Arsenal 2-0 in the reverse fixture in Germany.
"Dortmund are a quality team with quality players. They are very quick in transition, very quick going forward and defending together. Individually, many of their players are international players for Germany, especially, and some for Poland. They are a very strong side," Wenger pointed out.
Dortmund, on the other hand, have already secured qualification to the last 16, and need just one point from their last two matches to confirm that they go through as group toppers. However, Jurgen Klopp's side's form on the domestic front this season has been shocking so far.
The Borussians have won just three of their 12 league matches till now, losing seven. Pretty much like Arsenal, they blew a two-goal lead against newly-promoted Paderborn at the weekend - to draw 2-2 - and are now 16th in the 18-team Bundesliga.
Having already qualified to the Round of 16, Klopp knows Bundesliga is the competition that Dortmund have to focus on now, labelling Champions League as his "holiday", but insists his team would not be complacent.
"Tonight is like a holiday for me. It is 'only' the Champions League. I have pressure though, of course I do. Everybody has pressure. It's not my plan to relax. We will see what we will do here. We need each game to get more stability. We have to use this game for the Bundesliga. We need stability and that is our problem up to now. If we play well then it will help us in the Bundesliga," the German stressed.
Team News
Arsenal: Wenger will be without Jack Wilshere (ankle) and Wojciech Szczesny (hip) who both picked up injuries against United, while Mesut Ozil (knee), Mathieu Debuchy (ankle), David Ospina (thigh), Theo Walcott (groin) and Abou Diaby (calf) are already sidelined. Olivier Giroud is ineligible while fellow striker Danny Welbeck (hamstring) is doubtful.
Dortmund: Marco Reus (ankle) has suffered yet another injury, while the likes of Mats Hummels (ankle), Sokratis Papastathopoulos (calf), Sven Bender (hip), Oliver Kirch (thigh) and Nuri Sahin (knee) also miss out, and Jakub Błaszczykowski (knee) is a doubt.
Probable Lineups
Arsenal: Martinez; Chambers, Mertesacker, Koscielny Gibbs; Arteta, Ramsey; Chamberlain, Alexis, Cazorla; Welbeck
Dortmund: Weidenfeller; Piszczek, Ginter, Subotic, Durm; Kehl, Gundogan; Grosskreutz, Mkhitaryan, Kagawa; Aubameyang
Where to Watch Live
Get the Report HERE
Arsenal vs Dortmund is scheduled for a 1.15 am IST (7.45 pm GMT, 2.45 pm ET) start, with live coverage on Ten Action in India. The match can also be watched via live streaming online on Ten Sports Live.
Catch the action in the UK live on Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports 1 HD, with an option to live stream the match online on Sky GO. US viewers can watch the game live on Fox Sports 1 USA and ESPN Deportes or online on Fox Soccer 2Go or ESPN3. Audience in Canada can see the tie via live stream on Sportsnet World.
Viewers in the Middle East and North Africa can watch the match on beIN Sports Arabia 1 HD or via live streaming online, courtesy beIN Sports Connect. South Africa and Sub Saharan Africa viewers can see the contest on SuperSport 3 Africa or SuperSport online.
