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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)

Match Analysis: Borussia Dortmund 2-0 Arsenal

Sports Mole takes a closer look at Borussia Dortmund's 2-0 victory over Arsenal in the Champions League.

Borussia Dortmund secured a crucial 2-0 victory on the first night of the Champions League group stage as Arsenal made a disappointing start to their campaign.

Goals either side of the break from Ciro Immobile and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were enough to hand all three points to Dortmund, who had numerous chances to add to their tally on the night.

Below, Sports Mole takes a closer look at the key talking points from the game at Signal Iduna Park.

Match statistics

DORTMUND
Shots: 23
On target: 7
Possession: 44%
Corners: 7
Fouls: 10

ARSENAL
Shots: 5
On target: 1
Possession: 56%
Corners: 1
Fouls: 16

Was the result fair?

Yes, without a doubt. It should have been a thrashing, but Dortmund missed chances to ensure that Arsenal were not as embarrassed as they probably could have been. Dortmund were the better side from the first whistle, and they dominated all over the pitch to stroll past the visitors.

Borussia Dortmund's performance

It was like watching Dortmund two years ago once again. They lose key players every summer, but Jurgen Klopp continues to produce a side capable of playing thrilling football. Dortmund were barely troubled at the back, dominated the midfield, and were a constant threat when attacking at pace. On another night, they could have won 6-0, but Klopp will walk away a very happy man.

Arsenal's performance

Arsene Wenger's side are often criticised for not turning up in the big matches, and their critics have every right to return tonight. Not one player could walk away proud of how they performed against a far superior Dortmund side. Arsenal just didn't know how to handle the pace of Dortmund's attacks, and they were caught in possession time after time. Wenger will be furious with the way his players, who are usually so relaxed with the ball at their feet, crumbled under pressure from Dortmund.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: Simply brilliant from the Gabon international. Aubameyang was a threat throughout the match as he gave Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny a torrid night with his pace. He linked superbly with Immobile, and showed exactly why he is so highly rated by Klopp.

Biggest gaffe

Henrikh Mkhitaryan did a lot of good things for Dortmund, but finishing chances was not one of them. The Armenian missed a number of excellent opportunities to widen the margin between the two teams, and will probably never forget firing over from the edge of the six-yard box.

Referee performance

Olegário Benquerença did a good job of allowing the game to flow, and spotted a clear dive from Mkhitaryan inside the box early on to ensure he avoided any controversial moments.

What next?

Dortmund: Klopp's side return to action on Saturday as they take on Mainz 05 in the Bundesliga.

Arsenal: Wenger will be looking for an immediate response when the Gunners meet Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon.

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Arsenal's manager Arsene Wenger waits for the begining of the UEFA Champions League play-off football match Besiktas vs Arsenal at Ataturk Olympic Stadium on August 19, 2014
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TeamPWDLPTS
1Liverpool440012
2Sporting Lisbon431010
3Brest431010
4Inter Milan431010
5Monaco431010
6Barcelona43019
7Dortmund43019
8Aston Villa43019
9Atalanta42208
10Juventus42117
11Lille42117
12Man City42117
13Arsenal42117
14B. Leverkusen42117
15Celtic42117
16Dinamo Zagreb42117
17AC Milan42026
18Bayern42026
19Benfica42026
20Feyenoord42026
21Real Madrid42026
22Brugge42026
23Atletico42026
24PSV41215
25Sparta Prague41124
26Stuttgart41124
27PSG41124
28Shakhtar41124
29Girona41033
30Salzburg41033
31Bologna40131
32RB Leipzig40040
33Sturm Graz40040
34Young Boys40040
35Red Star40040
36Slovan Bratislava40040


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