please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Team News: Arsene Wenger: Three Key Match-ups: please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Previous Meetings: Arsenal 1 - 2 Borussia Dortmund Arsenal 2 - 1 Borussia Dortmund Borussia Dortmund 1 - 1 Arsenal Borussia Dortmund 2 - 1 Arsenal Arsenal 2 - 0 Borussia Dortmund please log in to view this image Group F: please log in to view this image Fourth Round of Fixtures in Group F: Napoli vs Olympique Marseille Borussia Dortmund vs Arsenal Manager's Views: Arsene Wenger on Mesut Ozil: My Team: please log in to view this image
Don't think Flamini or Gibbs will be fit, and would prefer Rosicky to Wilshere, that's if Wilshere is fit.
If Wilshere or Gibbs are not fit, then I would play Rosicky and Monreal. Only concern is that not sure Wenger is going to risk Rosicky and play him three times in the space of a week.
would really like a proper winger for this game to improve our counter attacks. ozil can't flourish when there's no one making runs in behind the defence like walcott can do. if gnabry is fit i would play him on the right with rosicky on the left. cazorla and wilshere as impact subs.
I would just not bother turning up, save the plane fare and put it towards a new signing. They're too good, even if we play at our best we'll probably lose. Best to save money, forfeit the game, have a rest and focus on thrashing United next weekend.
Good option, but maybe Gnabry is still too raw and young for a game like this. Let's not forget the atmosphere is going to be insane and I think we need more experienced players. Rosicky having already played for Dortmund seems like the perfect guy, but like I said, I can't see Wenger starting him three times in a week.
Would not that far. They are clearly a great team, but if we go in with a clear plan and everyone is on their game, then we can get something. We clearly need to sit back more and try and invite them on. With the likes of Ozil,Ramsey and Cazorla in attack, we can always produce a moment of magic.
If Flamini is fit for this game then i think we might see a midfield that looks more like: ------Flamini---Arteta----- Ramsey-----Ozil------Cazorla With the more advanced 3 all swapping positions. And both Rosicky and Wilshere on the bench. The Flamini/Arteta partnership worked earlier in the season to make a formiddable barrier and with not losing being the first priority here i think this might be the way we go. If Flamini is still out then i think: -----Arteta----Ramsey---- Rosicky-----Ozil-----Cazorla I get that Rosicky has played a lot but i think he is the kind of experienced player that will do well in a game like this and he used to play for dortmund so knows the atmosphere etc... And with Wilshere not 100% i think Rosicky is the best option.
Also Giroud needs to have the game of his life and hold the play up, because I can't see Dortmund us giving any space or time in the midfield to play our normal game, where we build through the middle with short passing.
If i remember correctly, the Westfalenstadion (or Signal Iduna Park if you want to be corporate) is the loudest stadium in european football. Not really the sort of game you want to throw a relative newcomer into, so i wouldn't use Gnabry. Going on SJW's idea of "going not to lose", this is my formation: Szczesny Jenkinson Sagna Mertesacker Koscielny Vermaelen Monreal Arteta Ramsey Wilshere Rosicky
I think Flamini is supposed to be back for Utd as far as a know. Which means we'll need to be really tight in the middle, so I'd play Arteta and Ramsey in there and have Rosicky and Cazorla further forward. Wilshere and Gnabry on the bench. Interview with Ramsey ahead of this game on Arsenal.com with him saying that they will be approach this game with a 'streetwise' attitude. We can win it, but we need to make sure we don't lose it like we did trying to go for it at the Emirates.
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/nov/03/arsenal-jack-wilshere-borussia-dortmund No Wilshere, then.
Might be best to keep Wilshere for the Utd game, I think it's the sort of game he'll thrive in, if he's fit in time. We should have Flamini back by then two, so we've got some more options.
[video=dailymotion;x167t5y]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x167t5y_borussia-dortmund-v-arsenal-2011_sport[/video] Last time we played Dortmund at the Westfalenstadion. Interesting to see that Theo made the first goal, he is going to be a big miss on a night like this, when we could have plenty of space to counter in the wide areas.
I wouldn't rush Walcott back, maybe he could make a great impact sub against Utd, but we have missed our wing play with Pod, Walcott and Oxo, who started the season brilliantly, all out.
