A goal from in-form Welshman Aaron Ramsey helped Arsenal seal a vital three points at Dortmund. It was tough ask for the side that have failed to stand up to their previous perceived ‘tests’ against Dortmund and Chelsea at the Emirates, with them both leaving with victory in a fairly easy fashion. The stage was set for a cracking encounter. The Dortmund manager, Jurgen Klopp, had set it himself personally by suggesting Arsene Wenger deserves a knighthood. Mind games it seemed from the charismatic German, who admitted the only way Arsenal would win was if Dortmund ‘let them’.
The first half was something of a slow burner as both sides struggled to gain a foothold on the game. It was the hosts who had the better of it. Neven Subotic struck an early shot wide from a free kick and Henrikh Mkhitaryan wasted an opportunity by firing wide after having the freedom of Dortmund to find the net at Arsenal’s expense. The halftime whistle was something of relief for Arsenal. They had weathered part of the storm, although they had failed to deliver anything in an attacking sense. They were keeping a Dortmund side on red-hot form at bay.
Early in the second half it seemed likely that a Dortmund goal would arrive. Wojciech Szczesny saved a Marco Reus header and then the former Gladbach player had it in the net, although it was ruled offside. Dortmund’s luck clearly wasn’t in and that was displayed as Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored only for the linesman to put his flag up, although the Armenian knew it was coming as he reacted in a subdued manner.
Against the run of play, Arsenal took the lead. Mesut Ozil, who had failed to sparkle all evening, provided the cross for Aaron Ramsey to finish. Arsenal had the lead, a slender one at that, but it was a lead. It was hearts in mouths time for Arsenal moments later as Dortmund almost had themselves on level terms. Robert Lewandowski was almost met emphatically by Marco Reus, but it flashed away for an Arsenal goal kick.
Ramsey almost had himself another soon after, but Roman Weidenfeller was on hand to thwart the Welshman. Dortmund struggled to score against Arsenal in the dying embers and a penalty shout on Robert Lewandowski by Per Mertesacker was the best they conjured up. Speaking after the game, Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, made it clear he wanted to see a repeat on Sunday at Old Trafford:
“It strengthens the belief of my team that we can put another great performance in another massive game on Sunday. We want this kind of performance again.”
Currently on his richest vein of form since he signed for Arsenal, Aaron Ramsey is an early contender for PFA Player of the Year. Another positive performance on Sunday would be encouraging for Arsenal’s title challenge and it may even convince a few more pundits to back the London club in their pursuit of their first Premier League title since 2004. A buoyant Aaron Ramsey told the Daily Mirror of his delight after scoring the decisive winner:
“I’m enjoying myself at the moment and everything seems to be going in. I’m delighted with the way I’m playing and the goals I’m scoring but it was a great team effort and we are delighted with that.”
Dortmund manager, Jurgen Klopp, talked up Arsenal following defeat: “They could win it - as long as they don’t play Bayern Munich,” he said. He continued to heap praise on Arsenal: “They are young, healthy and good technicians. They won a clever game tonight.”
Arsenal now face Marseille safe in the knowledge that their task to qualify has been made a lot easier with a result that not many expected. Meanwhile, Dortmund face Napoli in the next round of games hoping they can find their return to winning ways after a frustrating evening.
Written by Jimmy Cartwright
Tuesday night saw thousands of England supporters tune in to one of the country’s most important international games of the year. After a convincing 4-1 win at Wembley against Montenegro, England received fair praise from plaudits and critics alike, however the job was far from completed. A win was a vital for the Three Lions, and it was going to come with exuberant hard work and determination from England’s part and of course Roy Hodgson, whose job was surely on the line after England’s qualification hopes were boiled down to the final game.
These were tense times, indeed. In midfield, Michael Carrick, picked ahead of Frank Lampard, found himself closed down in those early stages, with Poland fielding a two man press and pushing England to the flanks by flooding midfield whenever the ball was lost with the thinking that England would be nowhere near as effective on the flanks. However, Carrick being Carrick, he can still pass the ball beautifully through the briefing shifting spaces of a modern game, but the United midfielder had to be at his pure best in order to do so.
England will be under the microscope for the next week, with Roy Hodgson’s squad set to be firmly tested as they look to secure their place in the World Cup finals in Brazil next year. Last time out they secured four points in two qualifying matches against Moldova and Ukraine. The 0-0 draw in Ukraine was scrutinized, most notably by former England striker Gary Lineker, who was highly critical of England’s defensive approach. The criticism was perhaps harsh as the importance of getting some sort of result far outweighed the need for a win. It was a game that England could not afford to lose.
Montenegro will be without their big names for the game at Wembley; Mirko Vucinic of Juventus will be missing as well as goalkeeper Mladen Bozovic, defender Marko Basa, and midfielder Miodrag Pekoivc. Manchester City’s Stevan Jovetic is also a doubt for the game, but despite this, defender Miodrag Dzudovic believes his side can upset England: “The most important thing will be to keep a clean sheet and I am sure our forwards will find a way through. With the right attitude and enough self-belief, we can finish in the top two and reach the play-offs.”
