Klopp fears for Dortmund defence against new Arsenal attack
Arsene Wenger takes his Arsenal team to Germany tonight to face Jurgen Klopp and his Borussia Dortmund side for the third time in recent years, so the two clubs and two managers are pretty familiar with each other. Last season saw us both struggle with a crippling injury lists, but ours has eased somewhat while the Germans and still without a good number of their best players.
The Dortmund defence is especially stretched, with Mats Hummels, Oliver Kirch and sometime full back Blaszczykowsky out of action as well as defensive midfielders Sahin and Gundogan. So it is hardly surprising that Klopp has told the Evening Standard that he is a bit concerned about Dortmund’s ability to cope defensively.
And those concerns have been heightened by what Arsenal have done in the summer transfer window, bringing in two excellent forward players with pace to burn in Danny Welbeck and Alexis Sanchez. Klopp has praised these new signings and thinks it will lead the Gunners to try to take the game to his side this evening.
Wenger said, “They have signed two outstanding players in Danny Welbeck and Alexis Sanchez, who will give them even more pace. I’m expecting the Gunners to try and utilise this on Tuesday. But first and foremost, both teams will have to be fully focused and defend well.”
The Arsenal players will know that this game represents a great chance to take control of the Champions League group and is a good time for us to go to Dortmund, but we cannot be too adventurous and should remember that they are still a very good side with a passionate and vocal crowd.
