Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has challenged his team to turn themselves into Champions League contenders by the time the knockout stages begin next year.
The Gunners put their recent troubles behind them to beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night, qualifying for the last 16 with a match to spare.
Should results go their way in the final set of Group D fixtures, Wenger's side could progress as top seeds.
But for that to happen, group leaders Dortmund -- who had won all four of their previous European ties -- would have to suffer an unexpected home defeat to Anderlecht while Arsenal won away to bottom club Galatasaray.
Having seen the Gunners paired with the likes of Barcelona, AC Milan and Bayern Munich in recent seasons, Wenger feels it is imperative that teams arrive in the knockout stages in top form.
"If you look at the last five or six years, we got the teams we didn't want," he said. "From now until February, we need to improve as a team, get encouragement from the Dortmund game and then hope we have nearly all our players back in the next round.
"You see who is qualified around Europe and there are many teams who are at the top, top level. There are three or four teams you don't want to play."
Wenger, whose team blew a 3-0 lead at home to Anderlecht on matchday four, added: "I will try to win the last game, and you never know [what might happen].
"If Anderlecht win in Dortmund and we don't win in Galatasaray you will say we were stupid.
"It is unlikely... let's say it is 90 percent that we will finish second and Dortmund will finish first."
The Gunners have endured their worst start to a domestic campaign for 30 years and are eighth in the Premier League after Saturday's 2-1 home defeat to Manchester United.
However, they produced the perfect response on Wednesday night as Yaya Sanogo scored inside two minutes, with Alexis Sanchez clipping home a sublime effort at the start of the second half.
"What is important is that we are united," Wenger said. "This team has a top quality attitude. What is important is what we do inside the club."
But the Frenchman said Arsenal's current injury situation "is a problem".
Captain Mikel Arteta limped off with a calf problem, while goal-scorer Sanogo picked up a hamstring injury.
Midfielder Jack Wilshere is set to see a specialist on Thursday for an update on his damaged ankle, which may require surgery.
England forward Danny Welbeck was missing with a knee problem, while fit-again Olivier Giroud had not been registered for the Champions League squad and so will be in line to return at West Brom on Saturday.
