Arsenal vs Borussia Dortmund: A Clash between two sides, who are currently struggling in the league due to various reasons. Although a point would be enough for Arsenal to go through the group stages, a win would mean that they can qualify as the group winners, which would help them avoid the likes of Bayern Munich and Barcelona in the round of 16.
Dortmund, who are languishing in the relegation play-offs position in the Bundesliga have surprisingly been doing good in the Champions League. The Germans have already managed to beat Arsenal at the Signal Iduna park and would be hoping to do the same in London tonight.
Team News:
Arsenal:
Arsenal have a mixture of news on the injury front. Long term absentee Laurent Koscielny returns to the squad, while Jack Wilshere will be out for a minimum of two months with yet another injury to his ankle. Koscielny returned to first team training last week and stands a chance to feature tonight, giving a much needed boost to the back line, which saw second choice left back Nacho Monreal being used. Although it is expected that Wenger will continue using the Spaniard.
Meanwhile, Olivier Giroud misses out as the Gunners have failed to register him for the UCL group stages and will have to watch the match from the stands.
Arsenal will have to give third choice goal keeper Damien Martinez a chance between the sticks as both Szczesny and Ospina are injured. Walcott, will also remain absent with a groin injury.
Dortmund:
Klopp’s side are almost a perfect replica of Arsene Wenger’s side in the Bundesliga in terms of injuries. Marco Reus, who recently returned to the side after a horrible summer was stretchered off this weekend and would miss the next two months thanks to an ankle ligament damage. He will join the likes of Hummels, Bender, Kirch, Sahin, Sokratis and Błaszczykowski on the treatment table.
Match Facts:
. Nacho Monreal is a yellow card away from a suspension.
• Arsène Wenger’s side’s 23-match unbeaten run at home in the Premier League – since a 3-1 loss to Aston Villa FC on the opening day of last season – ended on Saturday when they went down 2-1 to Manchester United FC, with Kieran Gibbs scoring an own goal. Jack Wilshere and Wojciech Szczęsny both went off injured.
• Olivier Giroud struck a stunning late consolation against United on his return from three months out with a broken leg.
• Arsenal have made their worst ever start in the Premier League era, with just 17 points from 12 games. They have won just four in the league this campaign; they had nine victories at the same stage last term.
• Dortmund have started a UEFA Champions League campaign with four wins for the first time. The last time they opened a group stage with three victories, in 1996/97, they went on to lift the trophy.
• Reus was carried off with ankle ligament damage in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at SC Paderborn, and has been ruled out for two months. He had earlier given the visitors a 2-0 lead just before half-time.
• The Schwarzgelben condemned VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach to their first defeat of the season in all competitions on 9 November, winning 1-0 at home.
• Papastathopoulos has not played since suffering a calf injury against Mönchengladbach and Sven Bender missed out on Saturday because of a hip problem.
• Hummels, out with an ankle problem since 1 November, returned to training during the international break.
Facts compiled from UEFA.com
Arsenal v Dortmund Lineups:
Arsenal: Martinez; Chambers, Mertesacker, Monreal, Gibbs; Ramsey, Arteta; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Sanchez, Cazorla; Welbeck
Dortmund: Weidenfeller; Piszczek, Subotic, Ginter, Durm; Gundogan, Kehl; Mkhitaryan, Kagawa, Jojic; Aubameyang
The last time Arsenal stepped onto play a Champions League match, they let slip a 3-0 lead against Anderlecht and have failed to pick any points since then having lost to both Swansea and Manchester United in the league. A win tonight will not only boost their Champions League campaign, but will also help them get some confidence back as the race for top four picks up.
Prediction:
A 2-1 win for the home side.
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