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
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.
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.
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.
aston martin abaho
Guest
it was a fantastic match only that arsenal lost the match
AZ_RBB
Guest
Appalling performance from Arsenal. Not even sure if Walcott and Giroud could have helped much. Whereas if Dortmund had Reus, Gundogan and Hummels, goodness knows what the outcome might have been.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: Borussia Dortmund 2-0 Arsenal Matchday One is halfway done, as tomorrow, The Roar brings you the live action from Munich, as 2013 winners Bayern Munich take on English champions Manchester City. But I will bring you the events from Stamford Bridge, as Chelsea open their campaign against Schalke, in another England v Germany contest. BVB are back in the Bundesliga this weekend, as they travel to Mainz 05. Arsenal remain on the road, as they travel to Birmingham to play Aston Villa in the Premier League. This morning, it's the Germans who triumphed. From the Westfalenstadion in Dortmund, the final score was Borussia Dortmund 2-0 Arsenal
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
It is fulltime across most of the other grounds in Europe this morning. This is the roar of the scores: Group A Juventus 2-0 Malmo (Juventus: Tevez '59, '89) Olympiacos 3-2 Atletico Madrid (Olympiacos: Masuaku '13, Affelay '31, Mitroglou '73) (Atletico Madrid: Mandzukic '36, Griezmann '86) Group B Real Madrid 5-1 Basel (Real Madrid: Suchy OG '14, Bale '30, Ronaldo '31, James '36, Benzema '79) (Basel: Gonzalez '38) Liverpool 2-1 Ludogorets (Liverpool: Balotelli '82, Gerrard PEN '90) (Ludogorets: Abalo Paulos '90) Group C Monaco 1-0 Bayer Leverkusen (Monaco: Joao Moutinho '61) Benfica 0-2 Zenit Saint Petersburg (Zenit SP: Hulk '5, Witsel '22) Group D Borussia Dortmund 2-0 Arsenal (BVB: Immobile '45, Aubameyang '48) Galatasaray 1-1 Anderlecht (Galatasaray: Yilmaz '90) (Anderlecht: Praet '52)
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: 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. FULLTIME: Borussia Dortmund 2-0 Arsenal
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90+2: A free kick conceded by Oxlade-Chamberlain, and the ensuing goalkick from Weidenfeller should see us out. Borussia Dortmund 2-0 Arsenal
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90: As this game enters its final stages, you can conclude that unless Arsenal find a way to get their attacking options firing, they will not go far in this competition with that defence. And now Podolski with a foray into the BVB penalty area, but Weidenfeller did enough to unsettle Podolski and the ball rolls out harmlessly. Two minutes added on, and this game can't end soon enough for Arsenal it looks like. Borussia Dortmund 2-0 Arsenal
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'89: Now Jack Wilshere is in the book, which has been coming after a series of fouls, complaints and general backchat. It's a disappointing night for Wilshere. He was truly wonderful against Manchester City on the weekend, and has now been neutered thanks to his team's inability to deal with BVB's continuous attacking presence. Borussia Dortmund 2-0 Arsenal
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'87: And now Szczesny with another rescue effort to deny Adrian Ramos, following a poor backpass from Gibbs. You have teammates Henrikh! I wouldn't be surprised if that's what the rest of the BVB team says, as once again, he is surrounded by blue Arsenal shirts. That could have been avoided had he simply opted for a pass to continue that play. Borussia Dortmund 2-0 Arsenal
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'85: And now Mkhitaryan with a wonderful run from midfield into the box, and the challenge was timely from Koscielny. Again, Mkhitaryan can be criticised for not finding a teammate. It's been a night of good and bad for the Armenian, but that was selfish. Now Ciro Immobile walks off to rousing applause, as he's replaced by the Colombian Adrian Ramos. The Dortmund faithful show their appreciation to the man who has done well to replace Robert Lewandowski. Borussia Dortmund 2-0 Arsenal
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'83: This game is fizzling out now, as Arsenal search in vain for a goal that can set up an interesting finish. Now Welbeck is worse for wear after getting a knock on the kneecap from Subotic. Non-intentional, but ever painful all the same. Last thing Wenger needs is to lose Welbeck, having already being consigned without Olivier Giroud for a few months. Borussia Dortmund 2-0 Arsenal
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'81: Now Aubameyang is on the deck after Szczesny collided with him in the attempt to meet the ball. The Pole's header away from that long ball was true, but collected the Gabonese in the process. BVB down to 10, as Aubameyang gets some sideline treatment, and immediately returns. Borussia Dortmund 2-0 Arsenal
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Row Z killer LOL
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'79: Now Klopp replies with his own change, as the Serb Milos Jojic takes over Marcel Schmelzer, who had a truly fine game down that left flank for BVB. Grosskreutz will likely go to left back, while Jojic will likely occupy the midfield alongside Ginter. Borussia Dortmund 2-0 Arsenal
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Danny sprays it into row Z from 5 yards out. LOL.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'77: Lovely turn by Danny Welbeck, but the shot goes well over! It's a great first step to set up the chance, but then the finish was lacking. Such is the critique of Danny Welbeck at times. Arsenal with their final change, as Mikel Arteta is replaced by Lukas Podolski, himself a returning German. Per Mertesacker takes the armband. It's going to the poorest on the park for me. Borussia Dortmund 2-0 Arsenal
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
Where are the barbs Ian? It's not a barb saying Wenger is like a PC (unless you choose to be insulted by that). I haven't nowhere been as critical of Wenger as I have about his team.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'73: And now Mkhitaryan has a golden chance that he squanders! The layoff from Aubameyang fell to Mkhitaryan, and he launched into a mazy run into the penalty area and shot over! Klopp claps on, but in truth, that was poorly squandered, as both Aubameyang and Immobile were waiting. Borussia Dortmund 2-0 Arsenal
ian
Guest
How about just commentary and less barbed comments about Wenger etc vas?
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'72: And now Szczesny nearly gifts a third! The backpass from Gibbs was lazily met by the Pole, and he was well closed down by Aubameyang, who deflected the clearing kick wide of Szczesny's left crossbar! What madness he occasionally has! Borussia Dortmund 2-0 Arsenal