Arsenal v Dortmund – Team news and Preview
After another successful game in the Premier League in which Arsenal took all three points away from a Norwich side which largely struggled but also had some fight about them, the Gunners now look to far greater and tougher opponents, Borussia Dortmund.
It is of course the return of a Champions League night and Arsenal now face Dortmund back to back in the group stage, with the home game at the Emirates kicking off at 7.45pm tonight! Arsenal currently sits on top of that league table as well as the English Premier League, having won both their two opening group games against Marseille and Napoli respectively. It means Arsenal is ahead of second place by 3 points, as Napoli and Dortmund have also won one game each.
Arsenal will look to make it three out of three and theoretically, having already beaten Napoli, who beat Dortmund in Italy, Arsenal should win this game. However of course that’s not always the way things work in football and this will be our greatest test by far in the Champions League up to now, if not in the entire 2013/2014 campaign.
Arsenal’s opponents Borussia Dortmund made it to last year’s Champions League final, unluckily losing to German rivals Bayern Munich. Dortmund have transformed into one of Europe’s best teams in recent seasons and with a philosophy quite similar to Arsenal, they will no doubt prove a tough match for the Gunners.
Some of Dortmund’s top players include Polish striker Lewandoski, and German boys Gundogan, Reus and Hummels. Dortmund really do have a world class team, definitely on par with Arsenal and it should be a fascinating game to watch.
The Gunners have a no real new injury concerns ahead of the game except from the known news that Mathieu Flamini will miss the game, but there is also no new additions returning to fitness meaning Arsenal could well line up as follows:
Szczesny
Sagna Mertesacker Koscielny Gibbs
Arteta Ramsey
Rosicky Ozil Cazorla
Giroud
I think Wilshere could get a rest, whilst Monreal may also get the chance to start. Everyone else seems to have their spot pretty much nailed on and so both teams should have a great game full of classy football, in which hopefully Arsenal come out as the winners and edge ever closer to securing qualification with 9 points.
