Auxerre chief Guy Roux fears the match could spell the end of his Champions League dream. The French side have collected just one point and that was from their opening game against PSV Eindhoven.

The Dutch side were dismissed 4-0 by Arsenal last time out while Auxerre lost 2-1 at Borussia Dortmund.

And now Roux's team face the daunting prospect of back-to-back games against the Premiership leaders.

"This is going to be very hard for us," said the veteran coach.

"We lost to Dortmund last week and we might need to pull off something special against the Gunners to win. It is difficult because they have not lost in 29 matches and they are confirmed leaders of the Premier League."

Auxerre are also league leaders in France but Roux admits this is not quite the same thing given the difference in standard between the two competitions.

"This is not to say because we are topping the French league that it is going to give us any advantage," he added.

"But on the other hand we will do all we can to beat Arsene Wenger's team."

Auxerre will be deprived of midfielder Lionel Mathis (shoulder) and France international Djibril Cisse.

The 21-year-old striker cracked a bone in his left foot during the 1-0 win over Bastia on September 11 and he has been out of action since then.

He resumed training at the end of last week but still felt some pain.

However, further medical examinations have revealed he was only suffering from inflammation and not a recurrence of the injury as feared.

French international playmaker Olivier Kapo (knee), defenders Jean-Alain Boumsong (knee) and Johan Radet (thigh) are also doubtful leaving coach Guy Roux with some real problems.

And the coach admitted his side has a tough task on their hands.

"Arsenal are probably the best team in Europe right now," he said.

Despite their impressive opening to the campaign, Arsenal skipper Patrick Vieira goes into their game at Auxerre confident they have the desire to get even better.

The skipper believes the Gunners are on the verge of something special.

The north London club have started the Premiership season in record-breaking form. And they have carried their performances into Europe by beating Dortmund at Highbury and thrashing PSV Eindhoven 4-0 in the Netherlands.

"Our last two matches - in Eindhoven and at Leeds - have been fantastic," he said.

"And I think the way we live together off the pitch and get on so well, you can also see that on the pitch. The relationship between all the players is great. You have to remember this is a really young team. All of us want to improve a lot and we know we can achieve something fantastic."

But Arsenal will be without Dennis Bergkamp for their trip to France for the Champions League game, after the Dutchman suffered an Achilles injury at Eindhoven.

His place up front will again go to Kanu who scored twice and made another in Arsenal's 4-1 win at Leeds.

Central defender Martin Keown will be out for another two weeks after picking up a hamstring injury after just nine minutes of the game in Eindhoven.

His place will again go to promising French signing Pascal Cygan.

Parlour who has hamstring problems is also all ruled out of tomorrow night's game.

However, Edu has been recalled to the squad after a groin problem and Freddie Ljungberg, who was rested from last weekend's game at Leeds, is set for a return to the starting line-up.

Robert Pires is travelling with the squad but that is only to continue his re-integration programme as he recovers from long-term injury and he will not be involved in the game.
Teams:
Auxerre: Fabien Cool; Johan Radet, Jean-Alain Boumsong, Philippe Mexes, Jean-Sebastien Jaures; Amdy Faye, Yann Lachuer, Teemu Tainio; Khalilou Fadiga, Benjani, Olivier Kapo

Arsenal: David Seaman; Lauren, Pascal Cygan, Sol Campbell, Ashley Cole; Fredrik Ljungberg, Patrick Vieira, Gilberto Silva, Sylvain Wiltord; Nwankwo Kanu, Thierry Henry

Referee: Frank De Bleeckere (Belgium)