Klopp prepared for Arsenal test

Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp will leave no stone unturned to get the better of Arsenal again when the Premier League leader visits Westfalenstadion on Wednesday evening (Thursday morning AEDT).

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The well-drilled Bundesliga side secured a 2-1 win at the Emirates Stadium a fortnight ago with a late goal from Robert Lewandowski and warmed up for its next European challenge with a 6-1 victory over Stuttgart where the Poland forward plundered a hat-trick.

Dortmund is chasing what would be an eighth successive home Champions League win and has never lost against English opposition at the Westfalenstadion.

Arsenal, though, comes into the tie on the back of a 2-0 victory over Liverpool which moved it five points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

The Gunners are also unbeaten in 14 away matches in all competitions since recording a famous win at Bayern Munich in March.


Klopp accepts his side, last season's Champions League runner-up, will have to deliver its own high-level performance to stay on course for qualification from Group F.

"We actually believe that it is an advantage to play at home and if we put all our quality on the pitch, we are very hard to play against. We are also very well prepared,'' Klopp said.

"Even if we had won the last 70 games at home, it wouldn't make any difference for tomorrow. It would be just a history, just statistics so therefore I wouldn't say the 14 games (unbeaten) away (for Arsenal) are an advantage.''

Klopp added: "We are going to do video analysis tonight and show the players some things, but it is going to be a tough game.''
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, meanwhile, has challenged his side to invoke the spirit which saw it beat eventual Champions League winner Bayern in last season's competition as it returns to Germany.

"We take belief from Bayern. We play everywhere to win and that will not change of course, we will have a positive attitude in our approach to the game,'' said Wenger, whose side was within two minutes of winning in Dortmund in September 2011.

"We have played everywhere in Europe and always had the same approach and will be again like that tomorrow.
"It is difficult to predict what will happen, that is what makes football great. Dortmund are positive, we are very positive. At least that will guarantee both teams will try to win the game.''

After Napoli beat Group F whipping boy Marseille, there are now three sides all locked on six points as the battle for qualification looks set to go right down to matchday six.

Wenger expects a more focused display from his men in Germany.
"I believe we lost the first game because we absolutely wanted to win it at any cost and we exposed ourselves,'' he said.

"We pushed forward because we were not happy with the draw, but when you cannot win a game, at least don't lose it because you are not cautious enough, that is what happened in the game.

"It will strengthen the resolve of my team because they will want to come out and show a different level.''
Arsenal travelled to Dortmund without England midfielder Jack Wilshere, who is nursing an ankle problem, while Mathieu Flamini and Theo Walcott are also absent through injury.

Dortmund is likely to be without Germany defender Mats Hummels because of hamstring problem, so Greece international Sokratis Papastathopoulos looks set to stand in again.