Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has sent out a warning to his club’s rivals, saying: “We can get even better.”

An opening day defeat to Aston Villa aside, Arsenal have been English football’s form team so far this season.

The Londoners won 10 games on the trot in all competitions until the run was halted by West Brom in a 1-1 draw before the international break.

The Gunners showed no signs of cobwebs following the interruption of the World Cup qualifers as they demolished Norwich 4-1 on Saturday to go two points clear in the Premier League.

Now they face Borussia Dortmund at home in the Champions League tonight and they can take a massive step towards qualifying for the next round with victory over last season’s beaten finalists.

“We have room for improvement,” Wenger said on Monday. “And being in the position we are in at the moment and knowing we have room for improvement is of course a good feeling.

“The ‘feel good factor’ is down to the quality of the spirit of the team, the solidarity of the players and their desire to do well. We know we are a team that looks like being successful. For that you need a special hunger and I believe these players have a special hunger.”

Wenger continued: “I believe in life you can always improve and that is what makes a top-level sportsman or a top-level team, is they always have that surge for improvement. I believe that collectively in the way we win the ball back and the use of the ball offensively, we have room for improvement, for more consistency in that and that is what you want from the players.”

Wenger is fully aware of the importance of finishing top of the group and avoiding a tricky second-round tie. “It is not a decider, but it is an important one,” said Wenger, whose side defeated Marseille and Napoli on match day one and two respectively.  “It is an 80 per cent game for me, for the qualifier. If we win the game and we win the other home game, we know we are there.”

Arsenal will rest midfielder Mathieu Flamini as a precaution following a concussion he suffered during the Norwich match. Winger Theo Walcott remains sidelined following a minor setback after surgery on an abdominal problem.

Wenger is likely to begin rotating his starting XI, with matches against Crystal Palace, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and a trip to Dortmund in the next three weeks.