Borussia Dortmund -v- Arsenal [7.45pm - TV3]

cson · 13-09-2011 2:06pm #1

goal.com wrote:

Dortmund (4-2-3-1): Weidenfeller; Piszczek, Subotic, Hummels, Schmelzer; Gundogan, Bender;
Gotze, Kagawa, Grosskreutz; Lewandowski

Mario Gotze will return to the starting XI following his suspension for Saturday’s league defeat to Hertha Berlin, and the 19-year-old will be keen to impress having been linked with a move to the Premier League throughout the transfer window.

Jurgen Klopp is likely to select an otherwise unchanged lineup, having named the same back four in his sides last three outings.

Arsenal (4-3-3): Szczesny; Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs; Ramsey, Song, Arteta; Gervinho, Van Persie, Arshavin

Arsene Wenger will once again find himself in the stands, this time firmly as an observer, following the extension of his touchline ban for communicating to the bench during his side’s first leg clash with Udinese.
Expect Mikel Arteta and Per Mertesacker to be handed their Champions League debuts for the club, whilst Gervinho and Alex Song will return to contention following their Premier League suspensions.

Think they're wrong with the Arsenal team; reckon it'll be the following

Sczcesny

Sagna - Koscielny - Mertesacker - Gibbs

Song - Frimpong

Arteta

Walcott

Gervinho

RVP

BVB are a good team and they have Goetze back tonight but they still lost to newly promoted Herta at the weekend, Europe suits our game and I reckon we can sneak a win out of this one.

We're at 5/2 which is decent value imo.

Big Pussy Bonpensiero · 13-09-2011 2:15pm

Seeing as Ramsey isn't even travelling with the squad it's unlikely he'll start alright. I'll probably end up watching this despite it being on TV3, should be a cracking match. Arsenal weren't great away from home last season which cost them top spot in the group so I reckon Wenger will have them riled up for this. I'll go for 3-1 to Arsenal.

Neil3030 · 13-09-2011 2:21pm

This should be a very entertaining game.

3hn2givr7mx1sc · 13-09-2011 2:23pm

2-2 draw I reckon. Will be a good game I'd say. Between this, Porto v Shakhtar and Barca v Milan I dunno what to watch!

That_Guy · 13-09-2011 2:39pm

Dortmund. Really good team to watch. Hoping Kagawa has a big night. Super player.

wandatowell · 13-09-2011 2:43pm

3 points tonight would be absolutely massive for the gunners.

Things as they are now can only get better for Arsenal and I think tonight is goning to be another win but not by much.

1-0 to the gooners

CorkMan · 13-09-2011 2:54pm

Why are you guys giving Arsenal so much of a chance of winning? Dortmund won the Bundesliga last season, and bar Nuri Sahin, they have held onto all their top players.

I believe it will be a struggle for Arsenal to get a draw.

yabadabado · 13-09-2011 2:55pm

Dortmund are a very good team but are inexperienced.A draw would be a good result for Arsenal,should be a good game both teams like to play football.

Nuri Sahin · 13-09-2011 3:11pm

If the OP is right, at present, that's BVB at full strength. If it weren't for his injury Barrios would be starting in place of Lewandowski. Reckon it'll be a highly entertaining draw tonight.

That_Guy · 13-09-2011 3:29pm

yabadabado wrote: »

Dortmund are a very good team but are inexperienced.A draw would be a good result for Arsenal,should be a good game both teams like to play football.

As are Arsenal to an extent.

13-09-2011 3:31pm

I'll take a draw right now tyvm

Marty McFly · 13-09-2011 3:38pm

Come On Arsenal

Ill be honest I havent seen much of Dortmund but have heard a lot about them in the last few months and the payers they have so am quite nervous. There getting us at a good time aswell with confidance not fully restored yet within the team. A win tonight and we could be back, another loss could set us right back though.

Ill go 2-1 to Arsenal got have faith.

stesaurus · 13-09-2011 3:49pm

Dortmund can't be as bad as they have been in recent weeks. Such a pity Barrios is out as Lewandowski is just slow and lacking.
I don't think Arsenal have turned the corner and with quite a few injuries still and an intimidating atmosphere I expect Dortmund to win this 3-1.

Boskowski · 13-09-2011 4:02pm

Dortmund had a fantastic start to the season, but are actually struggling a bit since then to continue with the sparkling forward play. However, tonight will be different I reckon.

Arsenal had a sh1te start and have been well below par since. They need to integrate a number of players to regain old strength. That will take a while, could take all of this season.

I would see Dortmund being the favourites in this tie.

The only way this could become nasty for Dortmund was if the opponent showed some kind of Champions League steel and Dortmund started getting extremely nervous. But I can't see it happening, not at home and not against Arsenal.

Clear Dortmund win, 3:1 or so.

greendom · 13-09-2011 4:28pm

I'll be happy with a draw but a norrow defeat wouldn't be the end of the World. This is Arsenal's toughest tie of the group stage so to come back with anything would be a fantastic start.

DOC09UNAM · 13-09-2011 4:46pm

El LoCo Ade wrote: »

If the OP is right, at present, that's BVB at full strength. If it weren't for his injury Barrios would be starting in place of Lewandowski. Reckon it'll be a highly entertaining draw tonight.

You posted about dortmund...

... Without mentioning kagawa :eek:

Must say I did love watching them play last year, hope they can adapt to the loss of sahin and get back to the beautiful football!

Blatter · 13-09-2011 4:51pm

I really fancy Dortmund tonight.

First game back in the CL in a good few years for them tonight, the atmosphere in their stadium will be absolutely incredible.

Arsenal missing Wilshere, Ramsey, Rosicky, Vermaelen. Inexperienced players such as Frimpong playing.

Home win imo.

yabadabado · 13-09-2011 4:54pm

That_Guy wrote: »

As are Arsenal to an extent.

Thats true enough but some of them have champions league experience unlike dortmund.hoping for a cracking game really enjoyed watching Dortmund playing last year.

Boskowski · 13-09-2011 5:18pm

On another note

Both teams are a bit out of sorts at the moment, sure. But only for that I would have viewed this tie to be one of the more promising ones in the group stages.

Arguably the best forward playing sides from each of the EPL and Bundesliga. Both don't really have a reverse gear.
Young players everywhere. Arsenal more experienced but Dortmund in front of 60 thousand.

Could be in for a great match tonight.

L'prof · 13-09-2011 5:20pm

Sorry lads, just failed my driving test and as bad things come in 3s that will be followed by an Arsenal loss tonight and a hangover for me tomorrow...balls

Marty McFly · 13-09-2011 5:32pm

L'prof wrote: »

Sorry lads, just failed my driving test and as bad things come in 3s that will be followed by an Arsenal loss tonight and a hangover for me tomorrow...balls

Sorry to hear about you failing better luck next time, but seriously shush you

well win tonight, i know ive my fingers crossed.:)

Nuri Sahin · 13-09-2011 6:11pm

DOC09UNAM wrote: »

You posted about dortmund...

... Without mentioning kagawa :eek:

Blame tiredness :pac:

Drexel · 13-09-2011 6:14pm

Don't know too much about Dortmund TBH but have a feeling Arsenal will sneak a win tonight. From what people are saying about the germans it should be a cracking entertaining match!

Come on the Gunners!

ImpossibleDuck · 13-09-2011 6:25pm

Considering the fact that Dortmund are a fantastic defensive team and Arsenal are struggling going forward this season, I can't see Arsenal scoring.

1-0 to ze Germans, I'm afraid

amacachi · 13-09-2011 6:29pm

Actually fancy Arsenal to score tonight. That's about it though.

MagicMarker · 13-09-2011 6:30pm

Arsenal
13 Szczesny
03 Sagna
04 Mertesacker
06 Koscielny
28 Gibbs
08 Arteta
14 Walcott
17 Song
30 Benayoun
10 Van Persie
27 Gervinho

Substitutes
21 Fabianski, 11 Santos, 20 Djourou, 23 Arshavin, 26 Frimpong, 09 Park Chu-Young, 29 Chamakh

Borussia Dortmund
01 Weidenfeller
04 Subotic
15 Hummels
29 Schmelzer
05 Kehl
22 Sven Bender
23 Kagawa
09 Lewandowski
11 Gotze
19 Grosskreutz
26 Piszczek

Substitutes
20 Langerak, 27 Felipe Santana, 08 Da Silva, 16 Blaszczykowski, 21 IIkay Gundogan, 44 Perisic, 10 Zidan

Pepe LeFrits · 13-09-2011 6:32pm

Arsenal are dirt at the moment but Dortmund did lose at home to a newly promoted side last weekend too. I'll go 1-1, maybe 2-1 Dortmund.

Good to have Gervinho back though.

Oat23 · 13-09-2011 6:32pm

I've backed Dortmund to win 1-0 and Grosskreutz to score at 33/1. C'mon lads :pac:

born2bwild · 13-09-2011 6:33pm

Gotta love that chick presenter. Who needs Johnny Giles?

FearDark · 13-09-2011 6:33pm

Ya know its almost worth putting up with TV3's "commentators" when you look at Kirsteen...god almighty she's unreal. I love her. I want to wear her skin.

Eh...Oh yeah, come on the Gunners! Prediction? 2-2 for me, don't trust Mertesacker and Koscielny at all, one's useless and one's slow, on the up-side we have Arteta, Benayoun and Gervinho back.

born2bwild · 13-09-2011 6:38pm

Mertesacker - faultless German engineering- you'd be confident if he wasn't up against other Germans. His vorsprung durch technic ain't gonna put Dortmund off.
1-2 Dortmund.

Cypher_sounds · 13-09-2011 6:39pm

Westfalenstadion Stadium is unreal!! I think Dortmund will put their poor performances of the past few weeks behind them tonight and win.

Prediction 3-2

BASHIR · 13-09-2011 6:39pm

Hope Arsenal can get there act together, wouldn't like to see them go out in the groups!!!

MagicMarker · 13-09-2011 6:42pm

What a stadium!

FearDark · 13-09-2011 6:43pm

Oh no the comedy duo of Trevor Welsh and Mark Lawrenson :mad:

Just listen to how little Trevor knows about the game and the non stop snipey/unfunny comments by Mark. Mute.

tayto lover · 13-09-2011 6:44pm

Should be playing Frimpong instead of Banayoun.

FearDark · 13-09-2011 6:45pm

Already raging at Walcott what a fool

bad2dabone · 13-09-2011 6:48pm

FearDark wrote: »

Oh no the comedy duo of Trevor Welsh and Mark Lawrenson :mad:

Just listen to how little Trevor knows about the game and the non stop snipey/unfunny comments by Mark. Mute.

was just thinking the same think. I really detest Mark Lawrensons punditry

Quazzie · 13-09-2011 6:50pm

Jeez. Talking about end to end.

amacachi · 13-09-2011 6:51pm

Seems like some of the Arsenal players have the wrong boots on.

FearDark · 13-09-2011 6:51pm

Kos is an appaling player.

amacachi · 13-09-2011 6:52pm

FearDark wrote: »

Kos is an appaling player.

Completely disagree.

tayto lover · 13-09-2011 6:53pm

amacachi wrote: »

Completely disagree.

Me too. He's after saving them twice already.

FearDark · 13-09-2011 6:54pm

amacachi wrote: »

Completely disagree.

He's given the ball away twice already when under a bit of pressure, he has zero composure and is pulled out of position too easily.

Oh look, he did it again.

Cypher_sounds · 13-09-2011 6:54pm

Awful attempt after a good first touch.

Oat23 · 13-09-2011 6:55pm

Ah Shinji, what was that

missingtime · 13-09-2011 6:55pm

Some nervous players in front of goal

Quazzie · 13-09-2011 6:55pm

Wasteful there by Dortmund. Hopefully the won't get too many more chances like that.

Gervinho looks up for it.

amacachi · 13-09-2011 6:56pm

Kicked it away, why no booking!?

shano_88 · 13-09-2011 6:56pm

Shambles at the back.

Nuri Sahin · 13-09-2011 6:56pm

Damn, so close.

Borussia Dortmund -v- Arsenal [7.45pm - TV3]

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