Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has warned Arsenal must not take qualification for the last 16 of the Champions League as a formality – even though they need just a point from their final two Group D matches.

The Gunners would have already been through along with leaders Borussia Dortmund, whom they host on Wednesday night, had they not thrown away a 3-0 lead against Anderlecht on Matchday Four.

As it stands, Arsenal are still in a strong position, five points clear of the Belgians with two rounds of fixtures left, which finishes away to bottom club Galatasaray.

Szczesny, though, insists there can be no complacency.

“We know that we only need one point from our last two matches to qualify for the last sixteen, but we know that we have not made it yet,” the Poland goalkeeper told Arsenal Player.

“We are playing at home in front of our fans and we are confident that we can put in a good performance and qualify.”

Szczesny, injured in the incident which led to the opening goal in Saturday’s Barclays Premier League match against Manchester United, will be hoping to recover in time for this week’s European clash.

He added: “We all know that our last match in the Champions League at home to Anderlecht was disappointing, to only get a draw from that position, but we must put that behind us.

“We are all ready to bounce back against Dortmund on Wednesday and hopefully get a place in the last 16.”

Should Arsenal beat Jurgen Klopp’s men, and the Germans then lose at home to Anderlecht on matchday six, there is an unlikely scenario which could see the English club go through as top seeds and so avoid the likes of Barcelona or Bayern Munich in the knockout stage.

“Our aim is to obviously win the group. In the past few years we have come second in the group and then got really tough draws in the last sixteen, so of course, it’s important to try to win the group,” Szczesny said.

“We know that results have to go in our favor for us to win the group, but we are going to give it everything.”

Szczesny added: “Last season, we lost at home and won away, so we hope this season we can turn it around and get a result against them at home.

“Having beaten them last season in Germany, it gives us confidence for Wednesday’s match knowing that we have recently beaten them.

“If we put in a good performance at home we know we can win.”

Despite their perfect record in Europe this season, Dortmund have lost seven in the Bundesliga heading into this weekend’s fixtures, to sit just outside the relegation zone.

Szczesny, though, maintains Arsenal should not read too much into that sluggish start.

“I am really surprised how much Dortmund have been struggling in the Bundesliga this season. Especially when you look at their results in the Champions League this season, they have won every single game comfortably,” he said.

“But looking at them now, they’ve picked themselves up, they have had a couple of good results in the Bundesliga, and I think they are going to do well, as they are such a good side.

“Dortmund have many strengths and they are a very good counter-attacking team, they press your midfielders very well and are quick to attack as soon as they get possession.

“They have got some great finishers as well, so going forward they are a very strong team.”

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