Arsene Wenger Predicts Dortmund Win Will Help Arsenal Beat Manchester United

Arsenal's Champions League win at the Westfalenstadion on Wednesday broke new ground as Arsene Wenger's rejuvenated side became the first English club to beat Borussia Dortmund on their own turf in the competition.

The smash-and-grab 1-0 victory served as further vindication of the Gunners' strength, which is consistently raising their targets for the season, the next of which is a win over Manchester United.

Speaking after their latest triumph, Wenger is reported by John Cross of the Mirror saying:

"

It was a united, focused performance, especially defensively. It strengthens the belief of my team that we can put another great performance in another massive game on Sunday. We want this kind of performance again.

[Aaron] Ramsey just shows how difficult it is to have assessment on any player. One year ago everyone said he can't score. He's in the box in right positions but he can't score. This season he scores in game after game.

"

Ramsey's rise to prominence in the Arsenal squad has been a marvel to watch this season and the Welshman scored his 11th goal of the campaign to ensure his side are now favourites to qualify from Group F, ahead of Jurgen Klopp's side and Napoli.

It's been more than two years since Arsenal last beat United, their 1-0 win in May 2011 being the only occasion that Wenger's side have overcome the Red Devils in their last 12 meetings.

However, the latest man to buy into the optimism around the North London club is Dortmund's own boss Klopp, who stated his belief that Arsenal can go on to win the Champions League—as long as they don't come up against Bayern Munich.

OptaJoe put Wednesday's victory into context:

The Mirror's Chris Richards reported the Black and Yellows' manager describing Wenger's crop of players as "young, healthy and good technicians," before adding: "They won a clever game and could go to the final and win it - as long as they don't play against Bayern Munich."

Arsenal are currently leading the Premier League race and, even if they were to lose on Sunday, will retain top spot, boasting a five-point advantage over their nearest rivals.

There is arguably as much on the line for United as there is for Arsenal, despite the fact the reigning champions are seven places below the Gunners.

For the Old Trafford hosts, it's a case of getting a title challenge back on track and David Moyes rescuing his shaky start to the season, while Arsenal are enjoying their best run at a league title for several years.

Wenger's men will be on a significant high after going down in the history books on Wednesday night, and can at least afford to bask in their own accomplishment—if only for a moment.

He will hope that confidence fuels his side with the belief to exert their authority at Old Trafford. However, it is likely Wednesday's effort took a lot out of Arsenal, who now have one less day than their opponents to recover for Sunday's showdown.