Just who will have the misfortune of handling Arsenal’s man of the moment Alexis Sanchez?
Arsenal meet Borussia Dortmund at the Emirates Stadium tonight in a crucial Group D clash. Arsenal will still be hurting from their 3-3 horror-show with Anderlecht in the last tie of the round, losing a 3-0 lead in 29 minutes to the Belgian side. However if the Gunners manage just one point from their last two games in the group, they will qualify for the knockout stages.
Dortmund meanwhile sit confidently clear of the North London side at the top of the group. The Germans are five points clear and surely favourites to go through as the seeded team, whatever the result tonight.
We take a look at the key battles that will be taking place tonight:
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Laurent Koscielny v Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Arsenal fans will be breathing a welcome sigh of relief to see their most competent defender return to training before Wednesday night’s clash. The Gunners’ backline has been ravaged by injuries with lightweight left back Nacho Monreal attempting to deputise for the missing Koscielny to very mixed success. It’s not yet known whether Arsene Wenger will test out the France international’s achilles from the off, but you’d think he might risk him considering how vulnerable Arsenal have been to fast-paced counter attacks, Dortmund’s pedigree, this season.
Aubameyang has already broken his duck against the Gunners, scoring the second in a 2-0 win for Dortmund back in September. The 25 year old has amassed a not too shabby 3 goals in 4 matches, helping Dortmund score at least twice in their previous five Champions League matches. Dortmund will be buoyed, however, knowing they have Adrian Ramos ready to come on from the bench. The Colombian has scored with each of his three shots on target in Europe this season.
Mikel Arteta v Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Arteta was roundly criticised following the first meeting of the two sides in September and looked every one of his 32 years as Dortmund’s pacey attack danced effortlessly past Arsenal’s midfield anchor. But the Spaniard’s worth was more than a little proven against Anderlecht, Arteta’s injury and subsequent substitution proving to be the catalyst of the Gunners’ 3-3, catastrophic collapse.
In Dortmund, Mkhitaryan’s wastefulness in front of goal spared Arsenal’s blushes even further, wasting three good chances himself but the Armenian was still responsible for several of the German side’s 24 shots. Arteta was unable to handle the attacking midfielder that night and will have to do his homework to ensure Arsenal don’t get another attacking masterclass.
Alexis Sanchez v Neven Subotic
Whilst Sanchez was still trying to find his feet for the Gunners at Dortmund, he still managed to fashion a couple of chances for his then unfamiliar teammates. Since then Alexis has scored nine goals in his last nine outings for club and country and will know the Dortmund defence is hardly watertight after it blew a two goal lead at newly promoted Paderborn in the Bundesliga last weekend.
Subotic and co handled Arsenal’s attack with ease in Germany, Dortmund’s defence will be mindful they only have to hold Arsenal to a draw to ensure they top Group D and that only Galatasaray have managed to score against them in their last five Champions League matches. Alexis Sanchez will be the obvious threat and if he can be kept quiet, Dortmund should be untroubled by a stuttering Arsenal attack.