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[VIDEO] Borussia Dortmund vs Arsenal: UEFA Champions League highlights, scores, blog

16th September, 2014
Kickoff: 04:45am AEST, Wednesday September 17 2014
Venue: Westfalenstadion, Dortmund
Head to Head: Played 6, Borussia Dortmund 2, Arsenal 3, 1 draw
Last Meeting: Borussia Dortmund 0-1 Arsenal (06/11/2013 – Westfalenstadion)
Betting: Borussia Dortmund $2.05, Draw $3.60, Arsenal $3.40
Arsenal could still snatch a Champions League berth. (AFP, Ben Stansall).
Roar Guru
16th September, 2014
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14020 Reads

MATCH RESULT:

It’s all over in Dortmund, as Arsenal lose their first game of their 17th consecutive season in the Champions League.

Goals from Ciro Immobile at the stroke of halftime was followed early in the second half by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s stunning control and shot that sealed this.

Arsenal had their chances, most notably via Danny Welbeck. But they were second best in too many departments, and questions will remain over the ability of Arsenal’s defence to keep out the very best teams, with this game serving as Exhibit A on why the Gunners won’t go very far in this competition.

FINAL SCORE:
Borussia Dortmund 2
Arsenal 0

MATCH PREVIEW:

The UEFA Champions League kicks off with a heavyweight encounter, as 2013 runners-up Borussia Dortmund host European regulars Arsenal. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4:30am (AEST).

Wednesday will be the fifth meeting of these two sides in four seasons in the Champions League group stage, including their pairing in last season’s competition, where both sides enjoyed away wins at their respective homes.

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Familiarity should breed little contempt however, for both teams play an enjoyably offensive brand of football, which should make for a thoroughly captivating contest.

Knocked out in the quarter-finals by the eventual winners Real Madrid last season, Borussia Dortmund will aim to emulate their 2013 form that took them to the final. They do so without Robert Lewandowski, whose transfer to rivals Bayern Munich has left Die Schwarzgelben with the arduous task of replacing the Pole’s 28 goals from last season.

The form of Colombian Adrian Ramos will give the Germans hope in the early part of the season, while the return of Shinji Kagawa was celebrated on the weekend as the Japan international scored against Freiburg in the Bundesliga.

Despite their attacking prowess, coach Juergen Klopp will sweat on the fitness of captain Mats Hummels, who is likely to only feature on the bench at best. Without Hummels, Dortmund will rely on central defenders Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Neven Subotic to keep quiet an Arsenal team not afraid to attack away from home.

Such initiative may be the only thing that gives Arsenal hope against the Germans, for their defence still remains a worry.

While a draw against Premier League champions Manchester City on Saturday is a creditable result, the concern remains that Arsenal continue to produce regular defensive lapses that can be easily capitalised by a willing front three.

Of particular concern is the form of vice-captain Per Mertesacker, whose often lumbering movements were caught out repeatedly on the weekend.

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But don’t tell Arsene Wenger his team don’t defend well – such is the Frenchman’s arduous defence (pardon the pun) of the abilities of his back four. He will likely call upon Jack Wilshere to take up a more withdrawn role alongside Mathieu Flamini to nullify the Dortmund front three, while Mikel Arteta is another option for a defensive midfield role.

The man most likely to make way is record signing Mesut Oezil, who was at times insipid and other times truly awful against Manchester City. Planning for the likely absence of Hummels, Wenger may opt to restore Alex Oxlade Chamberlain or Santi Cazorla in place of Oezil.

Both teams will be grateful to play eachother first up in the competition, as weaker opposition in Galatasaray and Anderlecht await in Group D. A draw will be a satisfactory result for both teams, yet neither Klopp nor Wenger ever set their teams up for stalemates, ensuring that a highly entertaining matchup awaits.

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