Arsène Wenger expects a full-blooded, exciting encounter when Arsenal FC and Borussia Dortmund meet again in UEFA Champions League Group F, with visiting coach Jürgen Klopp predicting that "the small things will be decisive" between these in-form sides.
Arsenal
Arsène Wenger, manager
[In 2011] they were short of experience in the Champions League and since then they have reached the final last year, so they will have more confidence. The structure of the team and the quality of the team is similar.
I believe we are much better and our young players have gained experience and maturity. The consistency of our results since May shows our quality. The feel-good factor is the quality of the team, the solidarity of the team and the desire to do well. We need a special hunger and I believe we have that hunger.
[German teams] don't hide and we don't hide, so it should be an exciting game. Their efficiency is their quality, their ability to take their chances. We go into the game focused on our quality and performance. We have to come out of the match and feel that we have played at our best, and at our best we can challenge anybody.
Weekend result
Saturday: Arsenal FC 4-1 Norwich City FC (Wilshere 18, Özil 58 88, Ramsey 83; Howson 70)
Szcz?sny; Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs; Flamini (Ramsey 37), Arteta; Wilshere, Özil, Cazorla (Rosický 59); Giroud (Bendtner 78).
• Mesut Özil's first league goals for the Gunners shaped their sixth win in seven top-flight games. Having previously not scored in the Premier League since November 2010, Jack Wilshere has now registered in back-to-back matches.
Team news
Theo Walcott is expected to miss Arsenal's next three fixtures after suffering a setback in his recovery from stomach surgery. Mathieu Flamini was taken off on Saturday following a clash of heads with Norwich's Alexander Tettey and has been ruled out with concussion.
Dortmund
Jürgen Klopp, coach
Arsenal have kept their style despite the criticism. I feel their style has always been modern and now I feel it is working well. I've been impressed with Arsenal's development and it will be two teams playing very well playing each other.
Two or three months ago everyone wanted Arsène to spend £80m and he couldn't find the right players. So he took Flamini for zero – good idea. Then he took [Mesut Özil] for some money. This team missed a player and I think that could have been Mesut Özil. One year ago I don't think many thought Arsenal could play without Santi Cazorla, but now they have [Aaron] Ramsey and [Jack] Wilshere on the wings and [Olivier] Giroud is one of the best strikers.
He's [Özil] technically perfect, fast and has developed a drive on goal. He is a very intelligent player and could play in any team. You don't have to force him in training, it is all natural and that is why it was a great idea from Arsenal. They will be two close games and I think small things will be decisive and we will have to be ready for these small things.
Weekend result
Saturday: Borussia Dortmund 1-0 Hannover 96 (Reus 4pen)
Weidenfeller; Grosskreutz, Suboti?, Sokratis, Durm; Bender, ?ahin; Aubameyang (Schieber 90+1), Mkhitaryan (Hofmann 80), Reus (B?aszczykowski 66); Lewandowski.
• Marco Reus settled an open contest from the spot, the Schwarzgelben's quickest goal of the campaign, after Erik Durm had been fouled. The win was Dortmund's sixth in as many home games in 2013/14.
Team news
Marcel Schmelzer (thigh) was an unused substitute on Saturday and Sven Bender (groin, back), Reus (ankle) and Nuri ?ahin (ankle) all returned following knocks. Sebastian Kehl has been out since suffering an ankle ligament injury in training on 15 September.
?ukasz Piszczek, unavailable until at least the end of November, had hip and groin surgery during the summer. ?lkay Gündo?an has been sidelined since mid-August due to compression of the spine.
Match fact
• The teams last met in 2011/12 when two Robin van Persie goals gave Arsenal the points at home despite Shinji Kagawa's added-time response.
No comments:
Post a Comment