Arsenal: Assessing the Biggest Threats to Their Champions League Group Stage Qualification

IB Times UK considers the biggest threats to Arsenal's hopes of qualifying from Group F in the Champions League with Borussia Dortmund, Napoli and Marseille well-equipped to prevent that.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan - Borussia Dortmund

The team who everyone sort of supported during last year's competition return this time around without the influential presence of Mario Gotze probing at opposition defences following his German record move to Bayern Munich.

But Dortmund are back having broken their own club record to bring in Mkhitaryan from Shakhtar Donetsk. In a fashion that seems typically Dortmund, the club have strengthened their standing amongst Europe's elite while ensuring their big transfers remain comparatively below the radar. The Armenian number ten has arrived at the Westfalenstadion after scoring 24 goals for Shakhtar last season and has slotted into the space vacated by Gotze with ease.

Three goals in his first four appearances in the Bundesliga makes his European bow for Dortmund an intriguing prospect, a prospect almost exciting as Adrian Chiles' initial attempts to pronounce his name.

Borussia Dortmund's previous best finish: Winners (1997)

Gonzalo Higuain - Napoli

Rafa Benitez's carefully assembled array of talent promises to help the famous Italian club once again mount a challenge on Europe and with Gonzalo Higuain leading the charge against the club who desperately sought after him during the summer transfer window, there is promise.

The former Real Madrid man was one of six major signings brought in by Rafa Benitez this summer. Playing with the confidence of being the club's leading man up front, a label he struggled to claim at the Bernabeu, could come back to haunt the Gunners for failing to strike a deal for his services.

After recovering from a bizarre boating accident that delayed his Serie A debut, the 25-year-old has struck twice in first three games for the club, giving an early indication he is capable of filling the void left by Edinson Cavani

Napoli's previous best finish: Last 16 (2012)

Marseille - Florian Thauvin

In a juxtaposed year, 20-year-old Thauvin has systematically honed his reputation as one of the country's brightest talents before tarnishing that burgeoning status with behaviour that is quickly becoming the norm for France's youngsters.

After signing a deal for Lille last January, the attacking midfielder was allowed to see out the remainder of the campaign with Bastia, finishing the season on a high as he scooped Ligue 1's young player of the season, an award previously lifted by Eden Hazard, Samir Nasri and Franck Ribery.

That glowing status was enhanced with a magnificent performance for France at the Under-20 World Cup, playing a hugely influential role as his side won the tournament before things began to turn awry. Despite having been signed by Lille, Thauvin pushed for a move to a bigger club and ultimately bigger wages, eventually signing for Marseille for a deal reportedly worth €15m, ending a saga that soured his perception amongst French football fans.

Arsenal had been tentatively linked with the attacking midfielder last January, but Thauvin could take the opportunity to remind people of his true qualities against the Gunners on Wednesday.

Marseille's previous best finish: Winners (1993)