Match Preview: Arsenal v Borussia Dortmund; Champions League Match Day 5
“It’s an all or nothing game. Arsenal can qualify with a draw, but they are not the type of team who play for a point, that’s not their philosophy.” – Dortmund Manager Jurgen Klopp.
“Every player and every member of staff is conscious that it is a very important night for us. It is another big test for our solidity and we will go into the game with that attitude, concentration and desire to win.” – Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger.
It’s simple. Win and in. Draw and in. Which means that this match between last season’s Bundesliga Champions and a resurgent Arsenal has the makings of a scorching fixture.
Dortmund need 3 points to hang on to hopes that they can progress into the round of 16. Arsenal with a win or draw secure their continued participation in a tournament that they have been a staple in for the last 14 years.
When they last met and drew on Match Day 1. These were two very different teams. Each one was struggling to find their true identity and since then both clubs have had runs of similar fortunes. Arsenal have 10 wins in their last 12 matches in all competitions. Dortmund are 7 out of their last 8. In both cases they are starting to live up to the expectations that are foisted upon them.
Arsenal need to be wary of this Dortmund side. Resolute defence and missed chances gave the London side a spell of luck in Germany. I expect that Dortmund will come out throwing caution to the wind realizing what is at stake. If Napoli v City taught us anything yesterday is that if you come into a Champion’s League match up and don’t play like you understand what is at stake you will find yourself suddenly looking from the outside.
Arsenal have in the past taken the group stages for granted. Case in point the last half of last season’s group campaign. A laxsidasial approach and bad rotation choices by Wenger saw Arsenal lose control of the group and face eventual Champions Barcelona as the number 2 seed. Arsenal have to have the right approach to this match or they could be faced with the same outcome or worse yet – be consigned to Channel 5 and Thursday night football with their cross town rivals.
Still there is a lot of reasons to be optimistic. The first is, the Gunners are at home. Arsenal in the Champion’s League are undefeated in 12 European home matches and Dortmund have lost their two away matches in the group. Arsenal also boast an attack that features arguably the best forward in Europe right now with Robin Van Persie. And finally, this is a different, (re: BETTER) squad then the one that visited Germany at the outset of the Champion’s League campaign.
All in all this is going to be a good match. I think it will be one that could be epic given the nature of both clubs and what’s at stake. I am going to enjoy. You should too.
Team News:
Arsenal: Jack Wilshere and Bacary Sagna have long-term injuries, but Abou Diaby (hamstring) is back in the squad. Tomáš Rosický looks to be out of contention after picking up a minor thigh strain in training.
Dortmund: Dortmund have a clean bill of health save for Shinji Kagawa’s minor toothache. Marcel Schmelzer, who sat out Germany’s recent friendlies with a calf strain, returned on Saturday.
Players to Wastch:
Arsenal. Robin Van Persie. If I have to explain why, you’ve been living in a cave or are a Tottenscum fan in disguise
Dortmund. Mario Gotze. It seems like we are playing teams that have players we are interested in and Germany’s brightest young talent is definitely a player we are and should be interested in. The fulcrum of all Dortmund does.
Projected lineups:
Arsenal: Szczesny, Djourou, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Santos, Song, Arteta, Ramsey, Gervinho, Walcott, Van Persie (c)
Djourou: Weidenfeller, Piszczek, Santana, Hummels, Schmelzer, Bender, Kehl, Götze, Kagawa, Grosskreutz, Lewandowski
Domestic Form:
Arsenal. 2-1 win vs Norwich City
Dortmund. 1-0 win vs Bayern Munich
Head to Head Tournament Stats:
|
Arsenal |
Dortmund |
|
| Goals Scored |
4 |
3 |
| Attempts on Target |
20 |
17 |
| Attempts off Target |
7 |
23 |
| Corners |
20 |
22 |
| Offsides |
12 |
12 |
| Fouls Committed |
45 |
52 |
| Yellow Cards |
7 |
5 |
| Red Cards |
0 |
0 |
TV Viewing:
US: FoxSoccer.TV 1445 pm EST (replay on Fox Soccer Channel at 5PM EST)
UK: Sky Sports 2 1945 GMT
GAMEDAY CHAT IS OPEN!!!: https://youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat
YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal – 2
Dortmund – 2
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