Match Preview: Arsenal v Dortmund; Champion’s League Match Day 3

Arsenal carry their Champion’s League perfect record into tonight’s vital clash with German visitor’s Borussia Dortmund. If it lives up to it’s billing, this could be the clash of the Group Stages.

When Group F was drawn out of the hat, many targetted this as the Group of Death. Early season prognosticators even went so far as to declare that it would be Arsenal who might struggle to make it to the knock out stages for the 13th successive season. Well, after two qualifying matches and the two Group Stages, it is Arsenal who are making the Group look anything like a Group of Death.

An always tricky tie in Marseille ended 2-0 and Arsenal’s first test of the season against Napoli was hardly the challenge it was presented with the high flying Gunners absolutely dictating play. No one should be under any illusions though, Dortmund present as tough a challenge as anything the boys in red and white will face.

While they came out on the negative side of the tie against Napoli, they presented enough challenges to the Italians that it could’ve very easily gone the other way, even when they were ten men down. They press their opponents with such conviction, forcing errors high up the pitch in order to create chances. They can absolutely dismantle a team this way. Arsenal as we have seen in the past, can get taken off their game when the are pressed tightly. The need to move quicker and get the ball out of their feet fast will be essential for them to counter the pressure of the Germans.

Additionally, Dortmund like to add to their intense pressure a high defensive line. That way when they don’t get the ball on their pressing the likelihood of an attack hitting them is nullified by an offisde call. Last season Olivier Giroud’s presence was negated a few times by teams that employed a high line. Think back to Carrow Road and Arsenal’s 1-0 loss to Norwich. He’s going to need to be patient. Higuain tok advantage of the gaps in the Dortmund back line which is so fluid that he created plenty of chances.  Unlike Higuain, Giroud can cause further damage in that he is much better holding up the ball and bring ing others into play.

For Arsenal, they could the most damage out wide. Dortmund are likely to be playing without any natural fullbacks. That’s a good thing because Arsenal are lacking any real wingers, however they do have creative players that thrive out wide. The trio of Cazorla, Özil and Ramsey are so fluid in their play that the can sit out wide – hide and come in and be effective on attack. Cazorla is especially deft at this and his skill on the ball can cause many-a fullback issues.

The obvious issue for Arsenal will be the loss of Mathieu Flamini. Since coming on, Arsenal have seen what they have been missing by having a true defensive minded midfielder in front of the back 4.  This role will be especially crucial against a team like Dortmund who are so good going through the middle. Mikel Arteta who filled the role with class will get back there today. And while he is not a natural DM, he is skilled enough not to let himself wander too far forward when there is a need for someone in the midfield to sit deep.

This has all the makings of a classic Champion’s League night. Two very good teams. Both with ample to play for. For Arsenal beating Dortmund likely locks the group down and all but locks their place to the knockout stages. Also beating one of the pre-tournament favorites and last year’s runner-up will have mental reprocussions along a similar vein as beating Bayern at Bayern did. Think of the confidence level for Arsenal should they go on to win this match.

It says alot about where Arsenal have come this season that many would be disappointed with a draw. It also says alot that Arsenal now look favorites for the group when before it started we were all told we’d be lucky to get out of it. There is still plenty of work to do. And matches are not decided here in this blog or on the interwebs. It has to be done on the pitch. We all wonder mostly quietly when we hit our first bump, given the magnitude of the occassion, I don’t think Arsenal go flat tonight.

Players to watch:

Arsenal. Aaron Ramsey. Brimming with confidence, at this moment he can do no wrong. Whether it’s creating opportunities or scoring goals, Aaraon Ramsey is dominating on all the stages he performs

Dortmund. Robert Lewandowski. Single-handedly put Real Madrid out of the tournament last season. No one should think the version that played against England will show up. Expect the monster whom everyone covets.

Projected Lineups:
Arsenal: Szczesny; Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs;  Arteta, Ramsey, Wilshere;  Özil, Cazorla; Giroud

Dortmund: Weidenfeller; Grosskreutz, Subotic, Hummels, Durm; Sahin, Bender; Aubameyang, Mkhitaryan, Reus; Lewandowski

Arsenal Injuries and Suspensions:
Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee) Podolski (thigh) Walcott(stomach) Diaby(knee) Flamini (concussion)

Head to Head Tournament Stats:

Match Official:
Referee: Jonas Eriksson (SWE)
Assistant referees: Mathias Klasenius (SWE) , Daniel Wärnmark (SWE)
Additional assistant referees: Stefan Johannesson (SWE) , Markus Strömbergsson (SWE)
Fourth official: Daniel Gustavsson (SWE)

Broadcast Information:
US: FoxSoccer 2 Go 2:45 PM EST

UK: ITV1 1945 GMT/20.45 CET

YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 2

Dortmund: 1

Match Facts (courtesy UEFA Press Kit:)

• The Gunners are in the group stage for the 16th season in a row. For the sixth time in eight campaigns they had to negotiate a qualifying round, dispatching Fenerbahçe SK 5-0 on aggregate in the play-offs with Aaron Ramsey scoring three times.
• Dortmund are in their ninth UEFA Champions League campaign. They were victorious in the 1997 edition and last season was their most successful campaign since then, remaining unbeaten until the semi-final second leg when they lost 2-0 at Real Madrid CF. They still won the tie 4-3 on aggregate after Robert Lewandowski scored all four in a 4-1 first-leg win in Dortmund.
• An earlier visit to Santiago Bernabéu in last season’s group stage had ended 2-2 while apart from the draw at Manchester City they also won 4-1 at AFC Ajax in the group stage. In the knockout rounds they drew 2-2 at FC Shakhtar Donetsk and 0-0 at Málaga CF, although this season’s matchday one defeat in Naples means they have lost their last two UEFA Champions League away matches and are without a win in their last four.
• The teams last met in 2011/12 when two Robin van Persie goals gave Arsenal the points at home despite Shinji Kagawa’s added-time response.
• Arsenal’s home record against German clubs is W9 D1 L3; overall it is W13 D5 L8.
•  The teams crossed swords in the 2002/03 first group stage, Arsenal winning 2-0 in London and Dortmund turning the tables with a 2-1 win in Germany.
• Arsenal faced two Bundesliga sides last season, losing 2-0 at home to FC Schalke 04 before drawing 2-2 away. That defeat ended the Gunners’ run of six successive home wins against German visitors and also a sequence of 45 home games unbeaten when facing non-English opponents

Manager’s Comments:

Arsène Wenger:

[In 2011] they were short of experience in the Champions League and since then they have reached the final last year, so they will have more confidence. The structure of the team and the quality of the team is similar.

I believe we are much better and our young players have gained experience and maturity. The consistency of our results since May shows our quality. The feel-good factor is the quality of the team, the solidarity of the team and the desire to do well. We need a special hunger and I believe we have that hunger.

[German teams] don’t hide and we don’t hide, so it should be an exciting game. Their efficiency is their quality, their ability to take their chances. We go into the game focused on our quality and performance. We have to come out of the match and feel that we have played at our best, and at our best we can challenge anybody.

Jürgen Klopp, coach

Arsenal have kept their style despite the criticism. I feel their style has always been modern and now I feel it is working well. I’ve been impressed with Arsenal’s development and it will be two teams playing very well playing each other.

Two or three months ago everyone wanted Arsène to spend £80m and he couldn’t find the right players. So he took Flamini for zero – good idea. Then he took [Mesut Özil] for some money. This team missed a player and I think that could have been Mesut Özil. One year ago I don’t think many thought Arsenal could play without Santi Cazorla, but now they have [Aaron] Ramsey and [Jack] Wilshere on the wings and [Olivier] Giroud is one of the best strikers.

He’s [Özil] technically perfect, fast and has developed a drive on goal. He is a very intelligent player and could play in any team. You don’t have to force him in training, it is all natural and that is why it was a great idea from Arsenal. They will be two close games and I think small things will be decisive and we will have to be ready for these small things.