Arsenal 2-0 Dortmund: Yaya's a go-go

First post-match thread with a bang. Sorry for the pun but we've waited too long for Sanogo's first.

Discuss.

Did you tell Jay about this

I don't mind. Can't be arsed writing much right now.

Anyway, good performance tonight. We played with more caution and committed less men forward and amazingly looked a more solid side. Took our chance when they came and restricted Dortmund as best we could.

This should be the template for future performances.

We can still win the group if we beat Galatasaray and Anderlecht hold Dortmund to a draw or beat them. Miracles can happen.

Arteta >>>>>>>>>>>>> Flamini. Such a shame Arteta can't play a Champions League game without picking up an injury.

Thought this was one of our best performance of the season. Most in-controlled definitely apart from the Gala game. Balance was perfect and eventhough we had few scare here n there, we actually got through. Kinda reminded me of how we played towards teh end of that 11/12 season

Ramsey looked like last year's ramsey. Defending and attacking. Some good passes. Helping out Arteta and controlling the midfield.

Oxlade is getting better with each game. Sanchez's goal was outstanding. Gibbs as good as always.

Chambers is proving me wrong. I didn't think he would be able to settle in at RB after the chelsea n Swansea games but he is improving at a frightening rate. Technically, he is very good and you can see why Arsene bought him.

Koscielny back will help us further. Mertesacker worries me though.

Oh and Cazorla's best performance since last year.

Credit to Martinez for Mkhitaryan's chance, kept us in the game - you know if we conceded there we'd just crumble so yeah fair play. Two good CL games from him,

Good performance today, a lot of positives tonight. Sanogo finally scoring, Chambers, Gibbs and Ox with some strong performances as well. Ramsey and Cazorla were good in midfield as well, Arteta was flawless usual. We finally managed to keep a clean sheet, that will give the makeshift back four some confidence. I hope Arteta is ok, we are pretty bad without him in midfield.

Watch Julius come and take the credit

Thought the game lacked that certain edge which we've seen in recent years between these two teams.
Can't help but feel with Dortmund almost settled for first pace that they didn't take this game as seriously as they normally would. Maybe that's why they lacked their cutting edge, and ours is understandable because we know about our defensive frailties and we are not in the best of runs atm.

However with that being said, credit must go to the team who came out positive tonight and got the early goal. Played with good balance throughout the game and that's why Dortmund didn't get any chances to equalise and come back into the game.

Hope we can go on this run now which I've been going on about for the past month or so. Everytime it looks like we can go on one, we just manage to eff it up somehow, but hopefully this time will be different.

RealGunner wrote:Watch Julius come and take the credit

That Julias lucky charm luck luck

Just got back, great performance

Ox was quality, Gibbs/Sanchez/Chambers top class, Carzola quality.

Solid performance all round and defensively and kept Dortmund to only a few good chances.

Roll on the beginning of another 12/13 year unbeaten run for me

really happy with this performance

Sanogo and Martinez responded well
Gibbo bounced back from Saturday with such solid showing

mostly restricting them to early crosses which was a clear plan could be different vs PL side though

Santi with such technical masterclass
so good in tight spaces and grabbed 2 assists

We didn't really play that much differently than we have for the majority of this season. Only thing that was different was the second half defensive mental collapse.

Good game, much needed win. Everyone played well played well,quick passing,direct and fluid display.
Martinez was great today, really calm and focused. Made a great save and this could be his chance to break into the first team and start more games.

Not getting carried away yet, we need more of this.

Well, that's more like it, isn't it?!

What a fantastic performance from the lads. Credit to Wenger too, ge got his tactics spot on.

Gibbs, Arteta, Cazorla and Chamberlain were outstanding. Monreal and Chambers were good and Sanogo was a real handful. There are also signs that Ramsey is improving - it's good to see he ran more than any other player on the pitch. Cazorla's 2 assists will boost his confidence, whilst Alexis, 13 goals in 20 games for the club. Superb. What a man, what a player. Martinez also dealt very well with what he had to do and made a big save from Myhkitaryan.

It was our best display of the season, hands down.

I thought the best thing about the game was that we were compact when we didn't have the ball & forced them out to go out wide where they were toothless. Not sure if this was a fluke or Wenger actually transferring some tactics to his players, I'll give him credit for that. Still, the defence was pushed far high up again and  a better team would have punished us.

Post-match comments from players suggest that it was an intentional shift because they knew Dortmund are so dangerous on the counter attack. Common sense dictates that if you don't want to be countered, don't concede so much space.

It was telling that Klopp took off Aubemayang and Immobile, the two players who hurt us on the counter in the first game, for Kagawa and Ramos, two technical players. The counters and fast paced stuff wasn't working, so he tried to break us down in a different way. Still didn't work.

And it wasn't like the football was played was bad. We still passed it short and quick like we want to. Just goes to show that being more cautious doesn't mean compromising your whole attacking approach.

You were playing well against United, too. Still no idea how you ended up losing that one.

Really worried about Mertesacker, could have cost us the game misplaced many easy passes. Really looking forward Koscielny and Monreal playing together and giving Mert a long rest.

The other worrying thing is Wenger still waits for a player to get injured to use his subs, I have never seen anyone so scared of making change.

Raptorgunner wrote:Really worried about Mertesacker, could have cost us the game misplaced many easy passes. Really looking forward Koscielny and Monreal playing together and giving Mert a long rest.

The other worrying thing is Wenger still waits for a player to get injured to use his subs, I have never seen anyone so scared of making change.

Carlo says Hi!