How Wenger will set up Arsenal for 3 points in Dortmund After a rather comfortable win at home against Liverpool, Arsenal make the trip to Germany to face high-flying Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund in a match which could prove pivotal in the Gunners’ quest for making the knockout stages of the Champions League. Dortmund have won all eight of their home games so far this season and will surely give Arsene Wenger’s side all they can handle when the teams take to the pitch in this crucial Group F encounter. With the group so evenly poised and the top spot up for grabs, it is certain that both sides will be looking for nothing less than a win to go into the last couple of games with the pressure off. The match will feature two teams who play very attractive football and will surely be a very attractive prospect for a neutral. With Arsene Wenger’s side having succumbed to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of the German side in the reverse fixture, you can be sure that Arsenal will come out with all guns blazing at the Westfalenstadion. While both teams play football that is very easy on the eye, it is worth noting that, contrary to popular belief, the style of play of the two sides is very different. Arsenal’s game is based on possession and patient build-up to create chances while Dortmund play a much more direct and physical game, their man threat being, as we probably know by now, counter-attacks. The game is certainly not a clash of similar styles. Personally, I feel that the team which can impose it’s style of play more on the game will have the upper-hand. Speaking from an Arsenal point of view, the first ten minutes will be the most crucial. The Signal Iduna Park is not called the yellow fortress for nothing, it will be very important to press as much as possible in the early stages and hopefully get an early breakthrough, therefore silencing the home crowd. Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny must be on top of their game to contain Polish hitman Robert Lewandowski, who is certainly their biggest threat. If they perform like they did against Liverpool, they should be able to do the job. Offensively, I am sure we will create enough chances to win, our midfield can unlock virtually any defence in the world. But again, Mikel Arteta should be on top of his game to quickly shut down any imminent counter-attack. In my opinion, the midfield battle will be where the game is won and lost for Arsenal. If we defend with discipline, stay compact when we don’t have the ball and take our chances, there is no reason why we cannot break Dortmund’s fantastic home record this season and come away with three precious points. Team News Arsenal have been dealt a huge blow this week as Englishmen Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs have both been ruled out of the game due to ankle and calf problems respectively. Frenchman Mathieu Flamini is also set to miss the game and will remain on the sidelines due to a groin injury. While Theo Walcott and Lukas Podolski have both resumed training, the trip to Germany comes a little too early for them, but Serge Gnabry might be back. As far as Dortmund are concerned, there are no new injuries to report and they will be without long-term absentees Sebastian Kehl, Lukasz Piszczek and reported Arsenal target Ilkay Gundogan. Probable Teams Arsenal: Szczesny, Monreal, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Sagna, Arteta, Ramsey, Rosicky; Ozil, Cazorla; Giroud. Dortmund: Weidenfeller; Grosskreutz, Hummels, Subotic, Schmelzer; Sahin, Kuba, Bender; Mkhitaryan, Reus; Lewandowski.
Posted on: Wed, 06 Nov 2013 18:19:37 +0000