With convincing wins in their first two champions league games, Arsenal were thought to be cruising to the knock out stages, but a sudden home defeat against a good Borussia Dortmund side changed the group back into the original “Group of Death” state. Now, Arsenal share same points with Dortmund and Italian side Napoli. So, every match hereafter will be a crucial one for the Gunners in order to make sure of the qualification.
Arsene Wenger will hope his army can break the yellow fortress. Dortmund’s home record is unbelievable this season. They have played eight games and won all. But on the other hand, Arsenal have a good away record too. Whatever happens, this match will be a treat to watch for the neutrals.
Both the sides have some injury problems ahead of the big game. For Arsenal, Wenger had confirmed earlier that both Theo Walcott and Mathieu Flamini will miss the European night. Nacho Monreal/Vermaelen expected to replace Gibbs as he is still a doubt for the game. Podolski and Ox are the long-term absentees. Jack Wilshere is also a doubt.
For the German side, influential pair Sebastian Kehl and Ilkay Gundogan are out with injuries. Full-back Lukasz Piszczek is also sidelined since the surgery he had in Summer.
Borussia Dortmund: Weidenfeller; Grosskreutz, Hummels, Subotic, Schmelzer; Sahin, Blaszczykowski, Bender; Mkhitaryan, Reus; Lewandowski
Arsenal: Szczesny; Vermaelen, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Sagna; Arteta, Ramsey, Rosicky; Ozil, Cazorla; Giroud
In recent games, Arsene Wenger changed the team formation from his favorite 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 to the Christmas Tree or 4-3-2-1. This change was mainly due the injured wingers. With playmakers starting in the wide, they naturally tend to come central as the match progresses, in the process crowding the midfield. While this tactics may be helpful in dominating the midfield, but against a pacey side like Dortmund, Rosicky; Ozil, Cazorla, or whoever plays in wings should drop deep to help their full backs. So, Arsenal may shift back to their original formation in order to cope up with the high sprinting Dortmund side.
Whenever a these two sides meet, there is always a misconception saying that they play a similar brand of football. Actually no. Here are the reasons why,
Borussia Dortmund use the team pressing tactics to a good effect. This will be the real key in this game as Arsenal always struggle when their opponents press them hard and stop them reaching their fluid passing mode. This was very evident when they faced West Brom earlier in the season, where the gunners failed to control the midfield. In the premier league, they are yet to face good pressing sides like Manchester City, Chelsea and Southampton. Can the red and whites withstand the pressure from the home side? That too without Flamini? It’s hard but it’s possible. Depends on how good Arteta and Ramsey play in the middle of the park.
Dortmund: WLWWWW
Arsenal: DWLWLW
Close game but the home side has the edge here
Borussia Dortmund 2 Arsenal 1
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