Arsenal’s Champions League future hangs in the balance tomorrow night, as the Gunners face Borussia Dortmund in a crucial game at the Emirates.
Here are the five individual contests that will decide the fate of Arsenal’s Champions League hopes tomorrow night.
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5) Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang v Per Mertesacker
Aubameyang is one of the fastest players in world football, and he will be up against one of the slowest in Per Mertesacker. The German doesn’t let his lack of pace hold him back, as his size and excellent positioning usually get him out of trouble, but allowing himself to be isolated just once against the Gabon international could prove fatal for Arsenal’s European aspirations.
4) Santi Cazorla v Lukas Piszczek
Cazorla has played plenty of games this year thanks to Mesut Ozil’s injury, and he will have another chance to impress in a big game tomorrow night. He will have his work cut out against Piszczek, who is one of Europe’s best attacking right backs, and must not let the Dortmund man get past him too easily.
3) Mikel Arteta v Ilkay Gundogan
Arteta is one of the old heads in the Arsenal dressing room, despite his lack of European experience. He must lead by example for his side and help them control the ball, while ensuring the Gunners don’t push forward too far and expose themselves to a quick counter attack.
2) Henrik Mkhitaryan v Calum Chambers
Young Englishman Chambers has been filling in at right-back since Mathieu Debuchy, and has struggles against quick players like Swansea’s Jefferson Montero in recent weeks. Mkhitaryan has pace to burn but great ability with the ball at his feet too. With Marco Reus injured, the Armenian will be Dortmund’s main attacking outlet, and Chambers must shut him down efficiently.
1) Alexis Sanchez v Sven Bender
Arsenal’s attacking hope rest squarely on the shoulders of Chilean star Sanchez, who will be tasked with breaking down a deep-lying Dortmund side. Bender will be closely marking the attacker, hoping to dispossess him and quickly launch the counter-attacks which Arsenal must be ready for.