Gunners hoping to blaze away after drawing blanks

French first division leaders AJ Auxerre regained their self-confidence in the Champions League after their shock 2-1 win at Arsenal last Tuesday but their coach Guy Roux stays cautious. “In the history of the Champions League, only Dynamo Kiev managed once to qualify after scoring a single point in the first three games,” said Roux.

Dortmund v Arsenal

Ewerthon underlined his great form by scoring two goals as asubstitute in Saturday’s 4-1 Bundesliga win at Werder Bremen and should push fellow Brazilian striker Marcio Amoroso out of the Dortmund starting line-up.

The German champions will secure qualification if they win on Wednesday and Auxerre do not triumph in Eindhoven. Defender Christian Woerns said Arsenal’s recent poor run was not good news for Dortmund. “I don’t like losing teams,” he said. “They’re more dangerous.” Arsenal have no new injury worries, with Arsene Wenger’s main decision being whether to use Robert Pires, who returned from long-term injury as a second-half substitute last weekend, from the start. Arsenal’s unbeaten run has been shattered over the past weekand a half with three consecutive defeats — including one to Auxerre — and Wenger is counting on his team bouncing back. Nwankwo Kanu should partner Thierry Henry in attack.

Liverpool v Valencia

Liverpool welcome back striker Emile Heskey for the trip to Valencia, while Steven Gerrard has been given the all-clear following an injury scare during last weekend’s Premier League victory over Totenham. Swiss centre back Stephane Henchoz again misses out as he continues to recover from minor knee surgery. Valencia will be without influential centre-back Roberto Ayala, suspended after being sent off in last week’s draw against Basel, as they look to clinch their place in the second phase.

Athens v Genk

AEK could be without central defender Michalis Kapsis, who has a thigh problem and has been playing with pain killers for a fortnight. Left winger Grigoris Georgatos returns after missing the weekend win over Kallithea, along with defender Mauricio Wright and striker Demis Nikolaidis.

Real Madrid v Roma

Luis Figo has recovered from a groin problem and should provide a welcome boost for Real, who have drawn their last two Champions League games and have managed just a point from their last two matches in the Spanish first division. Raul, who returned as a substitute in Saturday’s drab 1-1 draw at home to Villarreal, is also likely to be in the starting line-up after getting over a thigh strain. Coach Vicente del Bosque paired Francisco Pavon with Ivan Helguera in the defence in the first training session of the week, which could mean Hierro will be rested.

Milan v Trondheim

Midfielder Luigi Di Biagio, suspended for Inter’s Serie A win over Bologna on Sunday, should partner Argentine Matias Almeyda in the centre of midfield, with Portuguese winger Sergio Conceicao keeping his place on the right flank and Frenchman Stephane Dalmat operating on the Left wing. Uruguayan striker Alvaro Recoba is back to full fitness and coach Hector Cuper must decide whether to bring him back or stick with the pairing of Hernan Crespo and Christian Vieri. Rosenborg Trondheim, fresh from winning the Norwegian summertime league for a record 11th time in a row, have a full strength team for the game against Inter.

Olympique v Ajax

Lyon will be without Malian midfielder Mahamadou Diarra, who was taken to hospital on Monday after suffering an attack of malaria. Brazilian central defender Claudio Cacapa is doubtful because of a leg injury and so is French international striker Sidney Govou, who has not fully recovered from a knee injury. Brazilian Sonny Anderson, the club’s top scorer, and goalkeeper Gregory Coupet will be back after being rested.