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After taking the points at the Emirates, Borussia Dortmund return to the Westfalenstadion to host Arsenal on Matchday 4 of the UEFA Champions League. Join us for live scores and commentary from 6.45am AEDT.
Arsenal had a fine start to their Champion League campaign as they started with a 2-1 win in the south of France at Marseille, before easing to an impressive 2-0 home win against Napoli.
Last season’s beaten finalists Dortmund, unexpectedly lost in southern Italy 2-1 to Napoli on Matchday 2 with coach Jurgen Klopp being sent off and subsequently being handed a two match ban.
However, the Londoners lost their last home game 2-1 against the Germans, which could prove crucial in a tight group, labelled by many as the ‘Group of Death’.
Although not disgracing themselves at the Emirates, there was disappointment in the defeat to Dortmund – even if they weren’t outplayed or outclassed by their opponents.
Nonetheless, chasing the game at 1-1 the Gunners showed a certain naivety with their attacking intent, and were ultimately undone by a classic sucker punch by Robert Lewandowski – although, arguably, he was lucky to avoid a red card for an elbow earlier in the game.
Dortmund showed another side of their game by not only displaying their superb movement, touch and technique but by working harder than Arsenal in their pressing game, the stats showing BVD had run a far greater distance than their Gunners counterparts.
The hosts come into the game in fine form domestically, currently siting second in the Bundesliga, a point behind Pep Guardiola’s leaders Bayern Munich, albeit with a better goal difference of five.
Klopp’s side have been showing impressive early season form, having won nine and drawn one of their opening ten Bundesliga matches, with only a 2-0 defeat at Borussia Monchengladbach spoiling their record.
The two teams last met at the same stage two seasons ago, with a 1-1 draw in Germany ahead of two Robin van Persie goals giving Arsenal a 2-1 win in London.
Arsenal are boosted by the inclusion of midfielder Santi Cazorla, who made scored his first goal the first goal of the season against Liverpool after an ankle problem.
The quartet of Theo Walcott (abdomen), Abou Diaby (knee), Lukas Podolski (hamstring) and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee) are all long-term absentees and will not feature, while Mathieu Flamini will also miss out with a groin strain picked up at Selhurst Park on October 26.
Jack Wilshere has not made the trip either due to an ankle injury. Thankfully for Gunners fans it is his left ankle – not the right that caused him to be out for 18 months.
For Dortmund Lukasz Piszczek (hip) and Ilkay Gundogan (spine) remain long-term injury worries.
Marcel Schmelzer (thigh) and Sebastian Kehl (ankle) have not played since September.
Sven Bender (groin) and Jonas Hofmann (knee) also both featured in that game, although both have been carrying knocks so may not be risked.
Whoever wins tonight will arguably win the group. If Arsenal lose it may go down to the wire – which be interesting as their last game will be in Napoli’s cauldron, the Stadio San Paolo.
It promises to be a high quality game tonight in Germany, I for one can’t wait. We look forward to your company on The Roar to see how it unfolds.
As ever, please feel free to tweet rants, riffs, opinions or even just let us know what you’re up to at @TheRoarSports or me @laythy29
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