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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Great site. Plenty of useful information here. I am sending it to several buddies ans additionally sharing in delicious. And of course, thank you on your sweat!
Stag, you need to post the times we need to all focus for the weekly RVP prayer vigil for no injuries because this is the main difference between this year and last.
For the last 4 years we have not been clinical at all and that has been our downfall. Funny thing is that when we lose the quality in the team we become more clinical but that is down to just one man. TV also deserves credit because all rvp’s work could have been undone with a PM LK defense.
Lets enjoy it while it lasts. As for city, they have won the league. Difference between UCL and England is that in England people actually fear city but not in Europe. Most teams play city with a belief they are going to lose and the self profiling prophecy comes true. That and also in UCL teams do not make that many stupid mistakes (Newcastle at the weekend)
The question is how Wenger is going to rotate the squad during the December stretch because he has too!! Benayoun, Diaby, Rosisky need to be brought in but not all at once or we will lose the rhythm and start losing and you know how we can stick there for a while
RVP is just AMAZING at this point.
It’s almost beyond belief … the scoring streak he is on…
I’d have to say its “Thierry-like”…
Its a very impressive win against a pretty good side.
We can now REST for the final match of the CL, and the rest of the teams in the EPL have to PLAY HARD and in some cases hope for a result.
The downside to City possibly going out of the CL, is that they would then be 100 focused on the League. It would be all that mattered. I want them to have to play through the Winter in meaningful CL matches… if they only have the league, and everyone else the CL and League, they will walk to the title, and have a better chance of going unbeaten.
RVP’s run has been stunning. Two goals a game can’t last forever, but I am going to enjoy it while it lasts. He has certainly been the difference so far this season.
Man City is still a story of two teams. They’ve been devastating in the League, but suspect in the CL. I think they will likely qualify though. The game is at home and Munich is already through.
@USGunner, US Gunner.
It doesn’t matter what Man City do against Munich. They can win 10-0, and it won’t matter… they have to hope for Napoli to draw or lose their match.
If Napoli win, then Man City are OUT of the CL.
Missed the game due to holiday travels but am glad we won. Makes it all the sweeter since the other English sides messed up.
Van Persie you monster. Been in China for the past month (missed John Terry kissing the dirt :(). But recovery signs are there and we’re looking good. Still shudder to think what our state will be if RVP got injured (when*?)…
Good timing DAG….
Also, good times for Napoli supporters (which I think DAG might be)…. Question: Is that the same stadium they’ve always played in? I went to a Napoli-Roma match in January 1990 but have little memory of it beyond paparazzi shadowing Maradona’s every move and Napoli winning 3 nil with two by Diego on (very) soft penalties. I remember a very packed train ride and tunnel walk to and from the stadium and (of course) pizza slices on the street….Sorry City, I don’t see (this version of) Napoli blowing it in Villareal…..
Today’s match should be a real test, esp. for the D. Like the Chelsea match, they should generate plenty of pace and we can try to play on the break. At Stamford Bridge we played a back line of Santos, Koscielny, Mertesacker and Djourou. If I were one of those who damns our players for each mistake I might wish for that same group with Vermaelen instead of Per. Instead, knowing that it is (part of) the manager’s job to foster the confidence of his players, I will support the BFG (big f**king German) to redeem himself and use his experience against the Dortmund attackers, with maybe a bit more positional coverage from Kos (much quicker than Djourou) on the right. And, if they breech the back four, hopefully Sneezy’s mind games with his Polish mates can do its thing….
Anyhow, looking forward to it, and (PSA….) I will be on my keyboard in the GDC (Sorry…..)