Champions League: Borussia Dortmund vs Arsenal match preview
A look ahead to Tuesday’s Champions League fixture at the Westfalenstadion
Arsenal begin their new Champions League campaign against familiar opponents on Tuesday evening, when they travel to face Borussia Dortmund. Drawn in a group together last season, Arsenal were defeated 2-1 at home, but won the reverse fixture.
Dortmund have started well this season, despite the departure of star striker Robert Lewandowski, winning two consecutive league fixtures. The return of the talismanic Shinji Kagawa is a boost, but Jurgen Klopp faces an injury crisis as key men Marco Reus, Ilkay Gundogan, Nuri Sahin and Jakub Blaszczykowski are ruled out.
Arsene Wenger’s side have drawn their last three Premier League games, but a new-look team is starting to take shape. £35m signing Alexis Sanchez has scored in his last 3 appearances. New addition Danny Welbeck is set to start and will be looking to open his Arsenal goals account. Fellow summer arrival Callum Chambers will replace Mathieu Debuchy, who is out for at least two months following an ankle injury sustained against Manchester City.
KICK-OFF: Tuesday, 7.45pm
PAST THREE MEETINGS…
Dortmund 0 Arsenal 1 (Ramsey), Champions League, November 2013
Arsenal 1 (Giroud) Dortmund 2 (Mkhitaryan, Lewandowski), Champions League, October 2013
Arsenal 2 (Van Persie 2) Dortmund 1 (Kagawa), Champions League, November 2011
STATS…
In 2013 Arsenal became the first English team to win at the Westfalenstadion thanks to an Aaron Ramsey goal.
This is the third time in the last four seasons that the two teams have been drawn in the same group.
Arsenal have five wins from their last 10 away games in the Champions League.
Arsenal have conceded from the first shot on target faced in all four Premier League games this season.
Only once, in 2003, has more than one goal separated the two teams.
ODDS…
Dortmund to win: 2.05
Arsenal to win: 3.30
Draw: 3.60
TV: Sky Sports 5 at 7.45pm.
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