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yes very tricky game indeed. however if things dont work out tonight...the trip to athens shouldnt be a problem. olympiacos is really useless. if we cant beat them then we dont deserve to be in the champions league.
Previews
Written by Mean Lean on Wednesday, 23 November 2011 12:59
This is a big one isn't it? Two attacking teams, both in good form playing a game of real importance. I felt a little bullish against both Chelsea and Norwich but I cannot say I feel that way today. Our opponents are in the last chance saloon and they have very little to lose. Borussia Dortmund need to win at the Emirates and in many ways that takes away the pressure for them. We are in a different situation where our 'safety' net is an awkward trip to Greece in the last game and I do not like the idea of having to go there in need of a result.
The German's confidence must be sky high right now as they are coming off off the back of a victory against title rivals Bayern Munich but confidence is not a problem that Arsenal will have to wrestle with as a run of seven wins in our last eight games should offer Dortmund a different team to the one they faced in match day one.
The quality of the opposition and the importance of the game will probably see Wenger stick with the team that shot the Canaries from the sky at Carrow road. It could have been worse as many of our players who were involved for their countries during the international matches only played one game instead of the two fixtures that were mainly in place.
Borussia Dortmund are a team that like to press from the front so I am interested to know how we deal with that. We have often found it difficult to get away from the likes of Everton that come to the Emirates with that plan. I suspect that players like Koscielny and Alex Song will be targeted when they receive passes into feet. If we can handle that and manage to play out of their trap then we can hurt them in their half just as we did to Barcelona last season.
Many eyes will be on gifted playmaker Mario Gotze who was their best player in the first game and it will be interesting to see how Andre Santos deals with him as he floats inside from his right sided starting position. I wouldn't be surprised to see both Alex Song and Mikel Arteta drop off to protect the defence a little more, much in the way that they did against Marseille in both games.
I think Gervinho is probably due another big game and hopefully his dribbling and direct style will open some spaces for van Persie who I suspect will be paid close attention to from the Germans. I had heard earlier in the week that Mats Hummels could be out of the tie due to injury but that does not seem to be the case which is a shame.
He was absolutely superb in the first game. Having said that, I don't think the Dortmund center backs will be of as much importance, I believe their team defending will be very strong from the forwards all the way back to the defence so it will be trying to find our game amoungst that, that will determine the direction of the game.
On the injury front we lose Tomas Rosicky who in fact would have been pretty handy to have around given his excellent ball retention and ability to make himself available for a pass in small areas. He will be replaced by Abou Diaby which is great news. Apparently he is ahead of schedule and is only part of the squad due to his impressive work in training. I wonder if the game comes a little too early for him as I suspect that he is not ready for a game that is likely to be played at a very quick pace.
It is going to be a tough game and if someone was to give me the option of taking the draw now, well biting your hand off would be a tad harsh but I'd probably just politely take it but we are fully capable to beat our opponents tonight and the players should believe that they can especially playing at home.
The first goal will be very important tonight, fingers crossed it goes to the team in red and white.
Mean Lean's Predicted Line Up:
Come on you Gunners.
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23-Nov-2011 13:50 | | pikaalso ...does anyone know when song;s contract runs out ? priority number one after renewal of rvp. people calling yaya toure the best box to box midfielder......whats that all about ? ..song is the one. unbelievable stamina and authority in his game.
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23-Nov-2011 13:50 | | ybPika, football has changed, there is no more weak team. Going by our game against olimpiacos at the emirates they are not so easy to beat.
i think tonights game is a tough one to call. Dortmund are a great team, and have the confidence lately after beating Munich at their home soil. they will come to win and spoil our party. but if we convert our chances especially Gervinho i see us winning this one.
Gervinho is in the habit of getting into good scoring opportunities but just wastes the chances.
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23-Nov-2011 14:07 | | saintann - never mindwell i like it when games like this played..Gortz is not better than mata yet he was played out of the game against chelsea,Gortz played in france when they lost by 3..their defence is bad..they won in munich dose not mean they can beat every team..the norwrich is better than theirs..
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23-Nov-2011 14:34 | | emmanuel leboe - arsenalwhy we should think about team arsenal is the best team in the group,we are going to win tonight......
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23-Nov-2011 14:55 | | ronald - Gunners till deathWho is Borussia Dortmund?...Arsenal will win the match.
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23-Nov-2011 15:08 | | de boy - arsenal 4 lifewe are going to complete the work by beating them art home tonight
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23-Nov-2011 15:13 | | MeanLean
Plenty of confidence going around today. I hope the boys show that confidence tonight.
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23-Nov-2011 16:13 | | DavidRegarding Ronald's comment over who are Dortmund, I would say they are the best team in Europe except for Real and Barca. Most people in England are totally ignorant of European football outside of the top two in Spain and most Arsenal fans will be blindlingly expecting the boys to just turn up tonight and win.
Do not be shocked if Dortmund win tonight, any result is really possible (without wishing to state the obvious) and I would not like to say with any certainty we will win (unlike with most matches at home). On the break and with their high octain pressing style, Dortmund have the ability to dominate away from home; watching them beat Bayern in Munich at the weekend was like watching us the Man U between 1997 and 2004 with the regards to two top heavyweight sides going tow to toe,
Those going tonight need to be patient and back the boys even if we have made no inrodes after 20mins as we are up against a really top side tonight.
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23-Nov-2011 21:49 | | Anonymousyes football has changed, but olympiacos is still shit by all accounts. we were just not at our level in our home game. plus that was their best performance as a football team in their entire history. its not like now where dortmund is obviously a very good team that wont let us play our game. first time i look at th epitch and it looks so small and condenced. wenger should give them a bollocking in half time..we need to move ball simplier and quicker than we are so far and tire them. dortmound are blocking all spaces... only movement can create new space ..and quick release ..stop holding onto ball to much ..ramsey particular....they need to step it up a bit..goetze is out ..
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23-Nov-2011 22:33 | | MeanLean*Clap clap clap*
Another outstanding team display. Alex Song MOTM. Wonderful second half.
RVP what can you say?
Onwards and most certainly upwards
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23-Nov-2011 23:58 | | MeanLeanI am looking forward to chatting with MUK and Speccy. You guys must be over the moon right now that our deluded managers words are starting to ring true. Perhaps you guys are on holiday. Looking forward to your return
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24-Nov-2011 07:02 | | richieThey ain't on Holiday ML they are celibrating, credit where its due, they are 3rd in the prem after all.
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