Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Borussia Dortmund vs Arsenal
The Gunners sit top on goal difference ahead of Dortmund and Napoli, and defeat would likely see them drop to third with two matches remaining.
Arsenal were beaten 2-1 by Dortmund at the Emirates a fortnight ago, which blew Group F wide open after the Gunners had won their opening two games.
The Premier League leaders are performing wonderfully well domestically and sit five points clear, but Arsene Wenger knows they will need to show some of that form in the Ruhr Valley if they want to take anything from Dortmund.
Arsenal have travelled to the Westfalenstadion on two previous occasions but have never won, coming away with a loss and a draw.
Like Arsenal, Dortmund are going very well on the home front and they currently sit in second, just one point off leaders Bayern Munich and have won their last four games in succession.
With two matches played, it appeared that Arsenal, on six points, were going to cruise through to the knockout stages of the Champions League.
However, the 2-1 defeat last time out to Borussia Dortmund has muddied the water somewhat. The Gunners are now locked on the same points as Dortmund and Italian outfit Napoli.
On Wednesday, Arsene Wenger's side will travel to Germany for the return match with Dortmund. The Yellows have played eight games at home this term, winning all of them. What's more, they won all six of their home matches in the competition last term.
Injuries have ruled both Sebastian Kehl and Ilkay Gundogan out of the clash, while full-back Lukasz Piszczek will sit out the contest following summer surgery to fix hip and groin problems.
Meanwhile, Mathieu Flamini will be absent for Arsenal because of a groin complaint. There is also a doubt over the availability of both Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs because of injury.
The two sides have met in Germany on two previous occasions, with Dortmund winning back in 2002 thanks to two goals from now Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky. The other encounter, in 2011, ended in a 1-1 draw.
Recent form
Dortmund: WLWWWW
Arsenal: DWLWLW
Possible starting lineups
Dortmund: Weidenfeller; Grosskreutz, Hummels, Subotic, Schmelzer; Sahin, Blaszczykowski, Bender; Mkhitaryan, Reus; Lewandowski
Arsenal: Szczesny; Vermaelen, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Sagna; Arteta, Ramsey, Rosicky; Ozil, Cazorla; Giroud
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