Arsenal 2-1 Dortmund - Match Report
Arsenal recorded a 2-1 win over a Dortmund side weakened considerably by the first half injuries to Mario Gotze and Sven Bender. It was a fairly even game, but the clinical nature of Robin van Persie ultimately sealed the three points and put Arsenal through to the final 16 of the Champions League. The Dutchman scored both goals - two fairly straightforward finishes, the first largely the fruit of Alex Songs magnificent labour. Shinji Kagawa got one back in injury time but the Gunners held on to ensure an important victory. Arsene Wenger was no doubt hoping for a continuation to his sides impressive European performance thus far. Theres been so much said and written about the importance of finishing top of the group after all, this is how you avoid Barcelona. It didnt look like the Gunners had all that much to worry about though, after all, is there a striker anywhere on better form than Robin van Persie at the moment? Arsenal are currently undergoing what you might tentatively call a resurgence, and the Dutch hitman is right at the heart of it. Theo Walcott has also been chipping in with plenty of assists and an uncharacteristically consistent end product, as he showed against Norwich on Saturday. Dortmund may wear similar shirts to the Canaries, but they were sure to prove a much sterner test. Saying that, like Arsenal, Die Schwarzgelben didnt have the rosiest of starts to the season. After winning the Bundesliga last year, the departure of Nuri Sahin looked like it may have been a negative catalyst if there is such a thing and Jurgen Klopps young side were languishing far below expectations. All thats changed now though they beat Wolfsburg 5-1 and followed it up with a win over Bayern Munich at the weekend. Occupying second place in the league its safe to say Dortmund are back in business. They wouldnt need too much help identifying the chink in Arsenals armour either. Thats almost complimentary to Per Mertesacker though, as he is probably more akin to a knight who has simply forgotten to put his breastplate on altogether than a small chink. Either way, the Germans would surely know all about their bumbling compatriot. It seems every team plays 4-2-3-1 these days. Both sides were as youd probably expect the hosts fielding the team that beat Norwich, and the visitors unchanged from their victory over Munich. Mario Gotze, who scored the only goal in that game is reportedly an Arsenal target. Arsene Wenger denied it though hes far too old to be a Gunner anyway at 19 years old. Thats a rather old-fashioned view of the London club though. Dortmund probably had a younger starting 11. Wenger has recruited a bit more experience recently with the likes of Mikel Arteta. Experience doesnt always mean a lack of mistakes though, as Mertesacker sets out to prove every week. It was a very quiet opening 20 minutes with neither side creating anything you could realistically call a chance. Theo Walcott almost got on the end of Aaron Ramseys lofted pass but Roman Weidenfeller came charging out of his area and beat the winger to the ball. A short-lived game for Sven Bender as he collided with Thomas Vermaelen. Its difficult to find his name quite so hilarious when hes being stretchered off the pitch in obvious pain. Not that bender carries quite the same comedic weight that it used to. He was replaced by Moritz Leitner anyway just 25 minutes in. Robert Lewandowski fired a long range effort just wide of Wojciech Szczneys right post. The young Pole had it watched the whole way but it was a good effort nevertheless. Lewandowski, who is also Polish, was looking the biggest threat for the visitors. Gotze, their other main threat was forced to come off for Ivan Perisic Dortmund were dropping like flies, but Gunners fans would be happy to see the back of him. Sebastien Kehl found himself deep within the Gunners half for some reason, and, apparently surprised to still have the ball at his feet though he may as well have a go. He soon regretted this rash decision though when the ball floated several kilometres over the bar. Cant blame that one on the modern ball an awful effort but there was precious little else to write about. The first shot on target came from the visitors. Marcel Schmelzer unleashed a rather tame half volley from distance, (making unleashed a rather inaccurate word) but it was easily saved by Wojciech Szczney. Dont let all this talk of Dortmunds attacks fool you into thinking they were outplaying Arsenal, both teams were playing as terribly as each other. Van Persie would have had an easy tap in had Weidenfeller not intercepted Walcotts cross. He did though so it remained goalless. Frank de Bleeckere called time on a rather boring 45 minutes of football. Barely a shot between either side somewhat reminiscent of the first half of Arsenals 1-0 win over Marseille a couple of weeks ago. That one didnt improve too much though so everyone was hoping for something to cheer about in the second half. Arsenals impotency was highlighted by the fact that their player with the highest pass count was Per Mertesacker. Their most accurate passer? Mertesacker again. Dortmund in particular would need to put some effort in a draw would all but condemn them to Champions League failure but for a very impressive result in their next game against Marseille. HALF TIME Schmelzer threw it into Shinji Kagawa, who had taken over from Gotze as Dortmunds most exciting player. The Japanese midfielder then played a lovely one-two with the heel of Lewandowski before running through on Szczneys goal. His finish however was weak and easily smothered. Some amazingly good play from Alex Song allowed Robin van Persie (who else?) to take the lead for the Gunners. Song showed remarkable feet to beat Mats Hummels before running through the middle of Kehl and Lukasz Pisczek and delivering a great cross to the Dutchman. His header wasnt that amazing but he did what you should do (according to an old episode of Michael Owens soccer school, anyone remember that?) by heading it downwards. Weidenfeller got a hand to it but couldnt prevent it from nestling in the back of the net finally a bit of action! This being a game involving a Bundesliga team though the excitement was doled out in efficient rations. The next chance came on the hour mark, Gervinho found himself free of the last man, slalomed his way past Weidenfeller but just as he was about to roll it into the back of the empty net Hummels got back to clear behind for a corner. Klopp was inspired to make an attacking change holding midfielder Kehl was replaced by Lucas Barrios a Paraguayan striker with 16 goals to his name last season. Then the quiet resumed once more. For a team whose Champions League survival depended on picking up at least a point Dortmund didnt seem all that bothered about the outcome of the game. They really had missed the input of Gotze and Bender and had barely turned up for the second half. Arsenal doubled their lead in the 86th minute. Again it was van Persie Thomas Vermaelen flicked on Mikel Artetas corner and the striker was once more in the right place at the right time to lash it home with unnecessary force considering he was about two yards out of an open goal game set and match to Arsenal theyd bought their ticket to the next round. Shinji Kagawa got a consolation in stoppage time, the ball was held up well by Barrios before it was laid off to Kagawa who finished it off. Poor defending by Arsenal, but the whistle went minutes later so it proved meaningless for Dortmund and they crashed out of the tournament. Referee: Frank de Bleeckere (Belgium) Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Szczney, Koscielny (Djourou, 83), Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Santos, Song, Arteta, Walcott (Diaby, 85), Ramsey, Gervinho (Benayoun, 74), van Persie Borussia Dortmund (4-2-3-1): Weidenfeller, Piszczek, Santana, Hummels, Schmelzer, Bender (Leitner, 24), Kehl (Barrios, 64), Gotze (Perisic, 28), Kagawa, Grosskreutz, Lewandowski