LONDON, England (AP) — Inspired by Robin van Persie’s predatory run of scoring form, Arsenal look in ideal shape to make a belated title push as it seeks a sixth straight win in the Premier League.

The London club was the pride of England this week, beating Borussia Dortmund 2-1 on Wednesday to become the only team from the world’s richest league to clinch a place in the Champions League’s last-16 before the final round of the group stage.

The victory also extended Arsenal’s unbeaten run to nine games in all competitions, with Arsene Wenger’s side having risen to seventh position — level on points with fifth-place Chelsea — ahead of today’s home match against Fulham.

It means Arsenal’s dreadful start to the season, which included an 8-2 defeat at Manchester United and led to some pundits questioning Wenger’s position as manager, is a dim and distant memory.

Van Persie has been integral to Arsenal’s resurgence, scoring 12 goals in his last eight games. The Netherlands striker has 13 goals in 12 league matches this season and his double against Norwich last weekend made him the fifth player in the history of the Premier League to score more than 30 goals in a calendar year.

“Robin is top, top, top in the world at the moment. Hopefully we can keep him going,” Wenger said. “He is in a period where he shows it is natural for him to score goals. When you are not desperate for goals, you score.

“We are reliant on Robin, of course, because he scores many goals, and that is always a problem you have when someone is playing extremely well.”

If Arsenal are going to threaten for the title, they need a team to finally put a dent in Manchester City’s record-breaking start to the season.

Roberto Mancini’s men have made the best start to a Premier League campaign by any team after winning 11 matches and drawing once in their first 12 games.

As part of their haul of 42 goals, they have scored at least three times in each of their last six matches to equal a Premier League record set by Newcastle in the 1994-95 season.

Unbeaten City are five points clear of second-place United heading into tomorrow’s away match at sixth-place Liverpool, who haven’t been beaten in their last seven matches and thrashed City 3-0 at Anfield last season.

Liverpool are level on 22 points with Arsenal and Chelsea.

Elsewhere today, Tottenham — the other team involved in the title race — visit West Bromwich Albion attempting to stretch a three-month undefeated run in the league to 10 matches.