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Dortmund logo
Champions League | Group Stage
Sep 16, 2014 at 7.45pm UK
 
Arsenal logo

2-0

Immobile (45'), Aubameyang (48')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Live Commentary: Borussia Dortmund 2-0 Arsenal - as it happened

Live text coverage as Arsenal kick off their Champions League campaign against Group D rivals Borussia Dortmund.
2

Borussia Dortmund made an impressive start to their Champions League campaign on Tuesday night by beating Group D rivals Arsenal 2-0 at Signal Iduna Park.

The Gunners would enjoy little success all evening as Jurgen Klopp's side dominated, with Ciro Immobile breaking the deadlock through a fine solo effort just before the break.

A second goal would arrive in the 48th minute as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang doubled his side's advantage, and Arsenal were fortunate not to lose by a wider margin on a disappointing night for Arsene Wenger.

Read below to find out how the drama unfolded.


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Good evening everyone. It's back. The group stage of the most prestigious club competition returns tonight, and this is Sports Mole's live text coverage of Arsenal's trip to Signal Iduna Park to face Group D rivals Borussia Dortmund. These two sides know each other very well, but who will come out on top on this occasion?

It doesn't get much more exciting than a game like this. Both teams like to play fast, attacking football, and we've been treated to some very good matches in the past few seasons. There's plenty of world-class players on show, so it's about time we have a look at the two teams.

BORUSSIA DORTMUND: Weidenfeller, Durm, Sokratis, Subotic, Schmelzer, Bender, Kehl, Großkreutz, Aubameyang, Mkhitaryan, Immobile

SUBSTITUTES: Langerak, Bandowski, Ginter, Jojic, Amini, Kagawa, Ramos


A quick look at the Dortmund bench tells you that there's no place in the starting lineup for Shinji Kagawa, who scored on his return to the side against Freiburg on the weekend. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Ciro Immobile, who both started on the bench on Saturday, return to the team as Dortmund look to take the positive route against their main rivals in the group. Mats Hummels remains on the sidelines due to injury.

ARSENAL: Szczesny, Bellerin, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Gibbs, Arteta, Wilshere, Ramsey, Alexis, Ozil, Welbeck

SUBSTITUTES: Ospina, Chambers, Rosicky, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla, Campbell, Podolski


It's fair to say that there will be plenty of surprised faces when people look at the Arsenal side. Calum Chambers was expected to start at right-back due to Mathieu Debuchy's injury, but Arsene Wenger has elected to hand a start to Hector Bellerin, who has played just 26 minutes of first-team football for the Gunners. Danny Welbeck starts in attack once again for his new club, with support coming from Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez. Chambers, Santi Cazorla and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are all on the bench.

Chambers has been struggling with tonsillitis in recent days, so it's safe to assume that he hasn't fully recovered in time to play from the start. What a night for Bellerin. Wenger must be confident that he can handle the pressure of playing in such an intimidating stadium. It could be the making of him.

As mentioned before, these two teams have met three times in the past four Champions League campaigns. Last season, it was an Aaron Ramsey goal which handed the Gunners a 1-0 victory in Germany, while Dortmund recorded a 2-1 triumph in North London. It promises to be a tight encounter between two evenly matched sides, with both desperate to claim that top spot. Tonight's result could be crucial.

Over the past few years, it's been repeated time after time just how difficult it is to travel to Signal Iduna Park. Dortmund's supporters are up there with the best in Europe, and there might not be a more atmospheric ground in Europe. However, it could be a good time for Arsenal to visit. Hummels, Marco Reus, Jakub Błaszczykowski, Ilkay Gundogan and Nuri Sahin are all out of action, so the Gunners must take advantage.


A lot has been said about Jack Wilshere over the past few months. Has he developed quickly enough? Will he ever deliver on his obvious potential? Well, he answered a few of his critics by standing up in a big match to dominate the midfield against Manchester City on Saturday. That's exactly what the fans want to see from him on a regular basis. This game is another one Wilshere needs to be playing a key role in. If he can, the likes of Ramsey, Ozil and Sanchez will be more successful. That much is certain.

The other two teams in this group are Galatasaray and Anderlecht. They meet in Turkey tonight, with both sides knowing they cannot afford to start the campaign with a defeat. You can follow coverage of that match, and every other Champions League game, by clicking on the fixture in the box to the right of the page.

Welbeck starts for the second time since arriving at the club from Manchester United. He'll be desperate to prove a point to Louis van Gaal by succeeding with the Gunners, and getting the opportunity to start as a central striker is something he's been eager to receive. £16m will begin to look very cheap if he delivers the goods in matches like this one.

PREDICTION: We're 20 minutes away from kickoff now, so it's time for to have a go at predicting what the outcome will be this evening. On other nights, Dortmund would be firm favourites, but their lengthy injury-list means Arsenal will be confident. It's going to be a close one. I'll go for 2-2.

The key man for Dortmund tonight could be Ciro Immobile. Much was said about Robert Lewandowski's departure, and how Klopp's side would recover, but their new Italian forward provides a great threat going forward. He refuses to give defenders a moment of rest in any match, and is likely to cause plenty of problems for the Arsenal back four tonight.

FLASHBACK: On October 30, 2002, these two sides met in the Champions League. Borussia Dortmund recorded a 2-1 victory over their rivals. Tomas Rosicky, on the bench for the Gunners this evening, scored both of Dortmund's goals that night. A certain Thierry Henry found the net for Arsenal.

Portugal's Olegário Benquerença is the man in the middle tonight. He refereed just one Champions League match last season, and that was Arsenal's 2-1 triumph over Marseille last September.

The excitement is building, with kickoff just five minutes away. It's a special place to watch, play, and experience football. Can Arsenal handle the pressure tonight? We've seen Wenger's side produce some excellent away performances over the years in this competition.

The famous Champions League music is back, and that's surely enough to inspire any player. Just the handshakes to get out of the way now as Group D prepares to get underway.

Here we go then. Arsenal get this match started in their blue away strip.

The intensity is there immediately as Dortmund press high up the pitch to win a couple of corners. Arsenal survive for now, but the hosts are refusing to take their foot off the gas.

Dortmund appeal for a penalty when an Immobile pass is blocked by Arteta, but it didn't appear to be a deliberate move from the Spaniard. It's all Dortmund at the moment. Arsenal have been unable to keep the ball.

YELLOW CARD! Big decision from the referee, but he looks like he's got it right. Mkhitaryan collects a pass from Aubameyang, before turning onto his left and going down in the box. Arteta pleads his innocence, and a replay proves it was a dive.

Much better from Arsenal as Wilshere storms forward from midfield to link up with Welbeck, but he's left disappointed when the ball drifts out for a goal kick. Bellerin has looked nervous in the early stages, losing the ball on a couple of occasions.

We've already seen just how dangerous Aubameyang can be if he's given too much space. He's twice found room on the wing to start attacks for the hosts. The pace he possesses will frighten any defender, and Arsenal need to keep a closer eye on him.

It's Mertesacker who gives the ball away now as Dortmund attack again. Koscielny comes across to deny Aubameyang, but the home side manage to win a corner moments later.

The corner is wasted by Dortmund, who try to be a bit too clever. Welbeck threatens to get through at the other end, but Weidenfeller is off his line quickly to collect.

Finally, the pace of this game begins to come down slightly. It's still Dortmund who look the sharper of the two sides, with Arsenal struggling to retain possession.

CHANCE! First opportunity of the game falls to Sokratis, when a corner reaches him in the box, but he fails to volley home.

Clever play from Immobile as he drops deeper to collect the ball in space, before dragging an effort just wide from the edge of the box.

Dortmund are defending very well. Arsenal enjoy their best spell of the match as Welbeck forces his way into the box before seeing a cross cleared by Subotic. We've seen very little of Ozil, Sanchez or Ramsey early on. Arsenal need more from that trio.

Aubameyang is definitely the man Arsenal need to watch. He's finding room between the visiting midfield and defence far too easily, and almost breaks through once again. If he continues to pick up the ball in those areas, he will punish the Gunners.

Poor from Arteta as he gifts a free kick to the hosts with a kick on Sokratis. Dortmund once again fail to make the most of the set-piece as Koscielny heads away. Immobile retrieves possession a few moments later, but can only fire into the stands from 25 yards.

Immobile is refusing to take a moment of rest in attack. Mertesacker has a nervy moment before getting a vital touch on a long ball launched towards the Italian forward. Arsenal continue to struggle in the final third as another move breaks down.

Arteta is furious after conceding a free kick with what appeared to be an excellent tackle on Mkhitaryan. Luckily for the Gunners, Aubameyang can only head wide under pressure inside the box a few seconds later.

SAVE! Dortmund test Szczesny for the first time, and the Arsenal goalkeeper responds superbly! The hosts work the ball from right to left wing, where Schmelzer delivers an excellent cross for Aubameyang, who pokes his effort straight at Szczesny.

CHANCE! Oh my, what an opportunity for Dortmund. Immobile chases down a lost cause on the left, before delivering a dangerous cross which Szczesny can only get a hand on. It looks like Mkhitaryan will convert the rebound, but he somehow manages to fire over from just a few yards out. It's an awful miss!

CHANCE! We're being treated to a fantastic game tonight. Gibbs does superbly well to take the ball past three Dortmund defenders, and his cross is out of Weidenfeller's reach. However, Welbeck is unable to meet the ball cleanly at the back post, allowing the hosts to clear.

Mkhitaryan needs just a yard as he leaves Arteta for dead 25 yards from goal, before drilling a shot just wide of the post. I'm not sure if Szczesny would have stopped that one had it been on target.

SAVE! Terrible from Sanchez as he gifts the ball to Kehl, who then rolls a pass to Aubameyang. His strike from a difficult angle was probably going wide, but Szczesny decides to tip the ball away. Moments later, Immobile fires straight at the Arsenal shot-stopper from outside the box.

Sanchez heads just wide from an Ozil free kick, but the Chilean had strayed into an offside position anyway. It's looking like a struggle for Arsenal tonight. However, as long as it's 0-0, Wenger knows he has the players to snatch something.

This has been the worst 39 minutes of Sanchez's short Arsenal career so far. He's lost the ball so many times in the first half. Wenger needs the former Barcelona ace to turn up sooner, rather than later.

CHANCE! It probably should be 1-0 to Arsenal. Koscielny quickly turns defence into attack after making a vital interception to keep out Aubameyang. The ball eventually reaches Ramsey, who slides through a clever pass for Welbeck, but the England forward drags his effort wide of the post.

Patient football from Dortmund as they keep possession for an extended spell. Arsenal can only watch on as the ball finds Mkhitaryan, who strikes an effort wide from just outside the box.

GOAL! BORUSSIA DORTMUND 1-0 ARSENAL (IMMOBILE)

Stunning from Immobile! The Italian collects a Dortmund clearance on the halfway line, before showing an excellent turn of pace to storm past Gibbs and Koscielny on his way to firing into the bottom corner. Dortmund earn the lead they deserve.

HALF TIME: BORUSSIA DORTMUND 1-0 ARSENAL

Immobile's finish was one of the final touches in a thrilling first half of football at Signal Iduna Park. Dortmund have certainly been the better of the two sides, and Arsenal really have struggled to deal with the pace of their rival's play. Both teams have had chances, but it's Dortmund who deservedly lead.

It's been Immobile and Aubameyang who have been at the forefront of what has handed Dortmund success in the first half. The duo have applied pressure high up the pitch, and are always willing to run at what looks like a shaky Arsenal defence.

Wenger will be distraught with how his side conceded that goal. Arsenal have been well short of their best tonight, but they were moments away from getting the chance to regroup with the scores still level. They were on the front foot seconds before falling behind, and Mertesacker, Gibbs and Koscielny all had chances to stop Immobile. Schoolboy defending from the Gunners. Dortmund could have been ahead much earlier, but they wasted a number of good chances.

Arsenal are a long way from being out of this match. It'll take a big improvement, but they have the players to cause problems for the hosts. Wenger needs more from the likes of Ramsey, Ozil and Sanchez. The latter two, in particular, have been poor.

SUBSTITUTION: One change at the break, and it comes from Klopp. Matthias Ginter is off the bench to replace Kehl. Dortmund get the second half underway.

Ginter is most often used as a defender, but it looks like he will take Kehl's place in midfield. You would guess it's an injury which forced that change. First shot of the second half comes from Sanchez as he hits a long-range effort straight at Weidenfeller.

GOAL! BORUSSIA DORTMUND 2-0 ARSENAL (AUBAMEYANG)

It's another one for Dortmund as the second of their two standout players finds the net. Aubameyang is once given the space to display how quick he is, and he benefits from an excellent return pass from Grosskreutz. The forward loses his balance after taking the ball past Szczesny, but he recovers to slot home.

What an awful start to the second half for Arsenal. It's a long way back from here. As you can probably imagine, the Dortmund supporters are enjoying every second. Arsenal can't get a foot on the ball at the moment.

SAVE! Close to being 3-0 as Mkhitaryan pulls the ball back for Immobile, whose effort is tipped over the crossbar by Szczesny. Arsenal have a battle on just to make sure this doesn't get embarrassing, judging by this start to the second half.

YELLOW CARD! Dortmund want a penalty when an Immobile cross strikes Mertesacker, but there's no hand involved. It's quite astonishing just how much room Immobile and Aubameyang are being gifted. Ozil picks up a booking for a late challenge on Schmelzer.

The frustration is starting to become very clear now as Arsenal commit a couple of silly fouls. Dortmund are refusing to take a step backwards as they look for more goals, with Sokratis unleashing a powerful strike which lands safely in Szczesny's arms.

CROSSBAR! Gibbs exchanges passes with Sanchez to find some space inside the box, but his drilled cross evades Welbeck at the near post. Dortmund break quickly, and they're inches away from making it 3-0 in spectacular fashion as Aubameyang hits the crossbar from the right side of the box. Superb effort!

Wow, this really is some strike partnership. Immobile delivers a lovely little cross to the back post, where Aubameyang beats Gibbs to the ball to head just wide of the post. Arsenal just don't have an answer at the moment. Changes appear to be on the way.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Wenger turns to the bench for the first time as Oxlade-Chamberlain and Cazorla replace Ozil and Ramsey, who will both be very unhappy with their performances tonight.

Sanchez's poor night continues as his corner fails to beat Immobile at the near post. Dortmund are breaking quickly with every chance they get, but Arsenal survive another break from Aubameyang.

The lack of pace to Arsenal's game will be a big concern for Wenger and his coaching staff. Usually so effective in the final third of the pitch, they've really struggled to keep possession when attacking in numbers.

First quiet period we've seen in this match. Understandably, Dortmund are looking very relaxed in possession as Grosskreutz curls a speculative effort wide of the target.

Arsenal playing a lot of football with their back to goal as we enter the final quarter of the match. Chamberlain has looked busy since coming on, but they need to get him on the ball further up the pitch.

Cazorla delivers a dangerous free kick into the box, but Mertesacker fails to get on the end of it. The challenge is fading quickly from the visitors.

Dreadful from Szczesny as he almost gifts Dortmund a third when he delays a clearance before hitting the ball straight at Aubameyang. Luckily for the Arsenal, the ball drifts out of play for a goal kick.

CHANCE! Arteta gifts the ball to Dortmund in a dangerous position. Mkhitaryan, like the selfish kid on the playground, ignores Aubameyang and Immobile on his way into the box before firing over the crossbar. How has he not scored tonight? Big let off for Arteta, who has struggled all evening.

Arsenal deliver a couple of good crosses into the box, but both are cleared by Dortmund. Wilshere attempts to get the move going again, and is clearly fouled by Ginter as he takes the ball forward. No whistle arrives from the referee, though.

CHANCE! Welbeck's critics keep telling us that he isn't a good enough finisher, and they won't be silenced after tonight. Another opportunity comes his way on the edge of the box, but he fires a poor effort over the crossbar. Podolski then comes on for the disappointing Arteta.

SUBSTITUTION: Second change of the night from Klopp as Schmelzer makes way for Milos Jojic. Durm moves to left-back, Grosskreutz to right-back, and Jojic will slot in alongside Ginter in midfield.

Wilshere is the latest player to set up a chance for Dortmund. Mkhitaryan collects from his error and releases Aubameyang, who is beaten to the ball by Szczesny, and takes a blow to the ribs for his troubles.

Arsenal seeing more of the ball late on, but they're struggling to enjoy much success as Dortmund continue to press as much as possible. Klopp looks a happy man as he urges his players to keep up the intensity of their play.

Wilshere is once again guilty of giving the ball away in midfield. Mkhitaryan storms forward and leaves a couple of defenders behind him, but Chamberlain sticks to his task to make a vital tackle inside the box.

SUBSTITUTION: Immobile is treated to a fantastic reception as he leaves the field to make way for Adrian Ramos. As the change was being made, Wilshere required treatment, but he looks like he can continue.

YELLOW CARD! The Dortmund supporters are in party mode as they continue to urge their players forward. Wilshere's frustration is obvious as he picks up a yellow card for a silly foul on Durm.

Podolski almost grabs a late goal for the Gunners after breaking free of the Dortmund defence, but Weidenfeller prevents his fellow German from getting enough room to slot home. The fourth official confirms that there will be three minutes added on.

Chamberlain has put in a good shift since coming on, but his attempts to win the ball inside the Dortmund box result in Sokratis being fouled.

Ramos and Aubameyang look to exchange passes on the edge of the box to add a cherry to the cake late on, but the latter's ball is too strong for his teammate.

FULL TIME: BORUSSIA DORTMUND 2-0 ARSENAL

Reus, Hummels, Gundogan and others may all be missing, but that was a fantastic display from Borussia Dortmund. No one can deny that Klopp's side deserved to pick up all three points against an Arsenal side, who just didn't show up tonight. Dortmund kick off their campaign with a victory, and it could prove to be a crucial one in the hunt for top spot in Group D.

Thank you for joining me this evening as the Champions League group stage returned in dramatic fashion. There's plenty of reaction and analysis to come from all of tonight's matches on Sports Mole. Goodnight.

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