UEFA Champions League Preview: Arsenal v Borussia Dortmund ======================================= Arsenal will be looking to maintain their perfect start to Group F when they host Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League. Arsene Wengers side have enjoyed a fine start to their European campaign, with a 2-1 win away at Marseille being followed up by a 2-0 success at home to Napoli. Last years runners-up Dortmund, meanwhile, went down 2-1 in Naples on the first matchday, before responding with a 3-0 triumph over Marseille, although they will be without coach Jurgen Klopp for Tuesdays game as he serves the second of his two-match touchline ban. The hosts come into the game in fine form domestically and are currently top of the Premier League, having taken 19 points from their seven matches since an opening-day defeat at home to Aston Villa. Klopps side have been in similarly impressive early-season form in the Bundesliga, having won seven and drawn one of their opening nine Bundesliga games, with just a 2-0 loss at Borussia Monchengladbach blighting their record. The two sides last met at the same stage two years ago, when they shared a 1-1 draw in Germany before two Robin van Persie goals gave Arsenal a 2-1 win at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenals home record against German sides is strong, with Wengers side winning nine and losing just three of the past 13 fixtures, although they did taste defeat at home to Bundesliga outfits twice last season, 2-0 to Schalke in the group stage and 3-1 to eventual winners Bayern Munich in the second round. Dortmund, winners of the competition in 1997, return to the city where they lost the final last year, and the last time they took on English opposition they drew 1-1 with Manchester City in the group stage on the way to that final appearance. Arsenal could be boosted by the inclusion of midfielder Santi Cazorla, who made his return from injury in the weekend Premier League win over Norwich after an ankle problem, while full-back Bacary Sagna has also overcome a hamstring complaint picked up in the win over Napoli - although Wenger faces a selection poser over whether to risk both for a second game in quick succession. The quartet of Theo Walcott (abdomen), Abou Diaby (knee), Lukas Podolski (hamstring) and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee) are all long-term absentees and are unlikely to feature. For Dortmund, goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller is available again after serving a one-game suspension for a red card picked up in the defeat to Napoli, while Lukasz Piszczek (hip) and Ilkay Gundogan (spine) remain long-term injury worries. Marcel Schmelzer (thigh) and Sebastian Kehl (ankle) have not played since September, although the former was on the bench for the 1-0 win over Hannover on Saturday. Sven Bender (groin) and Jonas Hofmann (knee) also both featured in that game, although both have been carrying knocks so may not be risked. Marco Reus (ankle) came through the weekend win by scoring the winner and should play some part.
Posted on: Mon, 21 Oct 2013 20:49:01 +0000