Robin van persie
Robin van Persie has scored 28 goals in 27 games during 2011. REUTERS

Arsenal will be hoping to extend their unbeaten Champions League record when they entertain Marseille Tuesday evening.

Aaron Ramsey's last-gasp winner in the Stade Velodrome in October ensured the Gunners remained top of Group F and a win at the Emirates tonight will all but secure qualification for the last 16.

The home side enter tonight's clash in buoyant mood following the 5-3 derby demolition of Chelsea at the weekend.

Arsenal climbed to seventh on the back of Saturday's win and manager Arsene Wenger has hailed Robin van Persie's recent form, calling him "the perfect captain".

The Dutchman's hat-trick against the Blues took his tally to 12 goals for the season and meant the Gunners extended their unbeaten run to eight wins in nine matches.

"He's a perfect captain not just because he scores goals but because he behaves himself on and off the field," Wenger is quoted in the Telegraph.

"Robin has scored 28 in 27 games and still people tell me he is not a centre forward. How many goals does a centre forward have to score?

"His movement is exceptional and his confidence is so high that he takes advantages of all situations. I believe that the captaincy has helped too."

Team News

Defenders Thomas Vermaelen and Carl Jenkinson are both in contention to start for Arsenal after featuring in the win at Stamford Bridge.

Jenkinson picked up a knee injury away at Marseille two weeks ago, while Vermaelen has recovered from an Achilles problem.

Kieran Gibbs (stomach) misses out, along with Bacary Sagna (broken leg), Jack Wilshire and Abou Diaby (both ankle).

Midfielder Yossi Benayoun is available after missing the win over Chelsea because of the terms of his loan deal but striker Marouane Chamakh is absent with a knee injury.

Marseille manager Didier Dechamps is expected to field an attacking line-up following three straight domestic wins.

Andre-Pierre Gignac could feature after the striker played in the 3-2 win against Dijon at the weekend but Stephane Mbia remains out of action with a broken metatarsal.

Arsenal probable XI: [4-3-3] Szczesny; Djourou, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Santos; Song, Arteta, Ramsey; Walcott, Van Persie, Arshavin.

Marseille possible XI: [4-3-3] Mandanda; Fanni, Diawara, N'Kolou, Morel; Lucho, Diarra, Cheyrou; Valbuena, Remy, Ayew.