Arsenal won 2-1 tonight against Borrusia Dortmund to secure top place in Champions League group F. Robin Van Persie (who else) was the man with the goals tonight for Arsenal, both coming in the 2nd half. Dortmund's goal scorer was Shinji Kagawa in stoppage time to pull a goal back that meant little. The game started off with Dortmund pushing Arsenal back and back, having possesion and looking dangerous. It seemed as if Arsenal hadn't really come out to play and Dortmund looked like they wanted it much much more. That being said, the game evened up significantly as the half went on, primarily down to the skill and graft of Aaron Ramsey who on a whole was my Man of the Match. The First half's best chances also fell to Arsenal the best of them being Theo Walcott's brillaint early cross punched out of the way of RVP by Weidenfeller. Apart from that chance though, it was a very tight and uninspiring Champions League affair. Arsenal were also given a good boost to their chances when Dortmund's wonder-kids Mario Gotze (a major transfer target for Arsenal) and Sven Bender were taken off before halftime. Sven Bender had the unfortunate displeasure of being Verminated by Mr. Vermaelen (he broke his jaw in two places.) The second half started very brightly for Arsenal, and Arsenal unlike Dortmund were rewarded for their bright start as they scored 5 minutes after the half. Alex Song, picking the ball up in the middle drove down the line and somehow, amazingly, beat 4 Dortmund players flicking the bal between them, showing off some amazing feet before crossing to RVP who picked the bottom corner out. Truly, it was one of the best Arsenal assist's I've seen, rivaling Walcott's v Liverpool a few years ago. The goal put Arsenal in the drivng seat and Dortmund seemed very shaken by the goal, creating very little. Arsenal's domination was helped significantly once more by Aaron Ramsey as well as Song who broke everything BVB created. Arsenal again created an amazing chance for Gervinho who being 1 v 1 with Weidenfeller, took it around the keeper but had the ball cleared off his foot before he could slot it home. It was a golden chance for Gervinho who has seemed to have problems finishing of late, hopefully its just a blip. Arsenal did score though off a corner kick in the 86 minute to secure to place in the group. A corner taken by Arteta was flicked on at the near post by Vermaelen who found RVP at the back-post, unmarked. Dortmund scored late on in the last second of extra time to give them a bit of a better scoreline but mattered not as the whistle blew immediate y after them scoring. All in all, a fantastic Champions League performance for Arsenal and also some bright news in the injury department as Abou Diaby made his season debut after a long time out. Arsenal return to action this Saturday to face Fulham at home in what should be a good chance for Arsenal to keep this winning form going. COME ON YOU GUNNERS!
Arsenal v Dortmund highlights:
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