Pires in Arsenal's starting line-up

Arsene Wenger named Robert Pires in his starting line-up for Arsenal’s Champions League Group A clash in Germany tonight.

The Gunners boss had said prior to this game he was unsure whether or not the Frenchman – who came off the bench in the last two matches – was ready to make his first start since having a knee ligament operation in April.

But Pires, the double Footballer of the Year last season, returned to the team, with Kanu dropping to the bench. Skipper Patrick Vieira, currently serving a Barclaycard Premiership ban, was also named in place of Edu.

Arsenal were bidding to halt a run of three successive defeats and needed a point from this game to book their place in the second phase of the tournament, although they would also progress if Auxerre failed to win in Eindhoven.

German international Stefan Reuter had been hoping to play his 100th game in Europe, but was left on the bench by Dortmund coach Matthias Sammer.