Dortmund 0-1 Arsenal: Dortmund on top for an hour, but Arsenal excellent after scoring

The starting line-ups
Dortmund had significantly more shots, but Arsenal snatched a winner and saw out the game efficiently.
Jurgen Klopp was without Mats Hummels and Ilkay Gundogan, so named an unchanged side.
Arsene Wenger didn’t have anyone back from injury, so kept the same side that defeated Liverpool.
This game was simultaneously high-tempo and slow-burning – an uneventful first half was followed by a very exciting second.
Possession versus pressing
The first half was characterised by completely different approaches from the two sides. Pre-match, Klopp had spoken at great length about the differences between the teams, essentially saying that he didn’t subscribe to Arsenal’s belief that patient possession play was the optimum approach, instead preferring something more direct and energetic.
The two approaches played out during the first half, with Dortmund pressing energetically high up the pitch in the opening 10-15 minutes, before dropping back slightly and concentrating on pressing when Arsenal played the ball into the midfield zone.
Arsenal actually retained the ball efficiently when passing between the defence and midfield, but struggled to work it forward into the final third. Indeed, despite dominating possession in the first half – almost 60% – they didn’t manage a single attempt on target.
The question of dominance is interesting in this situation – Arsenal had more of the ball, yet territorially Dortmund had the upper hand.
Dortmund right
The first match was all about the attacking full-backs on either side, and was eventually decided by Dortmund right-back Kevin Grosskreutz’s cross, after his umpteenth surge forward into the final third. Here, Dortmund again focused upon attacking down that flank, and appeared to target Kieran Gibbs in the first half.
Realistically, there was only one major chance in the first period – it fell to Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who pulled his shot wide of the far post. The chance originated because Arsenal’s two left-sided defenders were both beaten high up the pitch, with Lewandowski and Jakub Blaszczykowski both charging into the space.
This has been something of a feature of Arsenal’s play over the past two years – Koscielny and Gibbs (and Thomas Vermaelen and Andre Santos before them) have both been much more impetuous than Per Mertesacker and Bacary Sanga on the other flank. It also showed the danger of Koscielny being turned when sticking tight – he shut out Luis Suarez effectively at the weekend, but was nearly made to pay for his advanced positioning here.
Dortmund continued to threaten down that flank, particularly when Grosskreutz overlapped. This was particularly obvious at the start of the second period, as he played a dangerous cut-back into the centre, and then a good cross to Marco Reus, within the first five minutes.
Mkhitaryan space
Another feature was the amount of space Mkhitaryan found between the lines. Mikel Arteta was the man supposed to be stopping him, but Arsenal’s captain received an early yellow card and had to be careful not to dive into tackles.
Meanwhile, if there’s one thing Aaron Ramsey needs to improve upon (and in his current form, it really is only one thing) it’s his defensive positioning. Arteta was sometimes left isolated in front of the back four, and Mkhitaryan was clever at varying his position, finding pockets of space.
Arsenal attacks
Arsenal scored with their first attempt of the entire game, and the fact Ramsey’s goal came after 62 minutes underlines how much they struggled to work the ball into goalscoring positions for the opening hour.
But Arsenal had five decent chances in the final half hour, and four came from putting crosses into the box. Ramsey’s goal came after an Ozil cross won excellently by Olivier Giroud, who later had a scrappy effort from a corner. Mertesacker, meanwhile, was inches away from connecting with a Santi Cazorla cross, and also flicked a header onto the top of the net from a free-kick. The only other chance was when Giroud and Ramsey combined on the break. Arsenal’s main threat was from crossing and set-pieces, and didn’t play a single through-ball all evening.
1-0
Having gone 1-0 up, Arsenal played their most positive football of the match – retaining the ball in the opposition third. Although this risked allowing Dortmund to break into space, the home side’s only meaningful counter-attack came following a set-piece.
There was a good chance for Reus, however – again, this came from a right-wing cross, Arsenal’s problem throughout the game.
Subs
This match rather exposed Dortmund’s lack of a Plan B, as Klopp’s three substitutions were all straight swaps – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for Blaszczykowski, Jonas Hoffman for Sven Bender and Julian Schieber for Reus. Dortmund played in almost entirely the same manner, although their passing became more direct with Lewandowski challenging for more aerial balls.
In stark contrast, Arsenal were able to become much more defensive by introducing two defenders for midfielders. First Nacho Monreal and later Thomas Vermaelen replaced Cazorla and Rosicky – both have frequently been used as late, defensive subs this season. This worked well, particularly in Monreal’s case – because Arsenal had been having such problems down their left. Monreal was introduced seconds after Aubameyang, and proved so effective that the winger switched flanks when Shieber came on, desperately hoping for space.
It was interesting to see Wenger giving Monreal very detailed, precise instructions on the touchline before he entered – that’s a relatively rare sight for the Arsenal manager.
Arsenal parked the bus effectively, and saw out the victory without Wojciech Szczesny being forced into any major saves.
Conclusion
Dortmund had the upper hand for the opening hour, with their midfield pressing preventing Arsenal from crossing the halfway line. With the ball, they dominated primarily down the right, as in the first leg, with Grosskreutz given space to get forward from right-back.
This was a classic example of the ‘goals change games’ cliche – at 0-1, the game took an entirely different pattern. But it was Arsenal who played better football having gone ahead, holding the ball higher up the pitch and creating further chances from set-pieces. They parked the bus for the final 10 minutes, showing they can defend both proactively and reactively.
That’s right, change the diagram and delete the comment, nobody’ll be any the wiser…
Come on don’t be so judgmental….
There was no need to delete the comment though…
Now we know…
Another lucky English game
Another ignorant comment.
English teams have to park the bus to win games in Europe, look at Liverpool, United and Chelsea
You clearly don’t know what “parking the bus” means.
I would say – thats football and this is why this game is so great. I think Dortmund completely dominated, yet they did not create any clear chances for scoring. Arsenal had their moment and took it. After that the Germans got too hesitant.
I do not understand why Dortmund did not go trough the middle trough Mihitarian, when Arteta needed like 1 foul to get send off. Oh and I hate the clique about Plan B. It is easy to get a defensive plan B, yet spending milions for forwards to get a Plan B for a different attacking approach is a waste of money and does not work very often. See Juventus and their 5 forwards that are always sad they do not get enough playing time.
I tend to agree with you about the ‘Plan B’ comment. While there are times a ‘Plan B’ is required (e.g. switch to a 3-back, all out attack like Mourinho has done a few times while trailing this year), I don’t think Dortmund really needed to change anything up. As was apparent (to me at least), Dortmund was the better side up until Arsenal scored their goal. While Dortmund continued with their same plan (for the most part), it really did seem like they became more tentative/timid after conceding. Had they continued pressing and being aggressive, I think they could have found a goal.
Dortmund had no clear chances for scoring? What are you smoking?
Yes Dortmund had very few clear chances. Lots of half chances, but maybe 2 clear ones – Mihi on a weaker foot and Reus after a strong cross from Levangolski. Which is not what I call a good clear cut chance.
Plan B for teams like Barca seems not to hard to get, but still imagine Barca spending 15-30 mil (cause they are barca and will need to spend a lot for a forward) for a high forward, who will get totally 1 hour playing time when Barca are behind in the score (which happens like 4 times per year). So are these well spend 15-30 mil? For a player who will be always unhappy with his playing time?
What is the plan B for Dortmund? They have a very offensive formation already? Put a second striker? Another 10-20 mil who will stay on the bench all year long, because Lewandowski is briliant?
brilliant post
After the first leg in London, it was going to be the team that stayed wide that won this match.
Klopp abandoned his game plan early in the second half and started going thru the center of the pitch for the opening exchanges, with the gamble nearly paying off.
Credit Voyeur for sticking to his guns and keeping the wide game plan. As Michael said, it was Klopps lack of plan b that undid Dortmund. The goal shook the program up, and they never recovered.
what plan B? They dominated, they have five CCC but were unlucky and didnt score. That is a football, you smartass and your plan B. What could he change? Should he go on the pitch and score the goal himself? Dortmund players didnt score to the open net. That is the problem and not the lack of plan B. I bet, that you keep saying the plan B everytime, Barca lost. 3 times in a year.
i resent you saying “parked the bus”.
I seriously love Klopp, that article is hilarious.
And to hell with those pansy pretty passing classical musical football, death metal fighting football for me!
In all seriousness though, credits to Arsene Wenger for becoming more tactically flexible, and it’s reflected in Arsenal’s recent results.
I can’t remember a goal changing the entire psychology of a match so much ever. Up until that point Dortmund had Arsenal slightly rattled and had successfully stopped them getting into any rhythm. Then the goal and suddenly Arsenal had all the composure in the world and controlled the match till the final whistle.
Goals change games.
Arsenal vs Barcelona at home with Van Persie’s tying goal also springs to mind.
Dortmund had no clear chances that you think should score , that mkhatryan effort first half was the best chance but that’s on his weak foot on the edge of the box isn’t exactly a certain goal in another game. Second Half they started well again I can’t recall a chance where I go should score. Give credit to Arsenal for that they defended superbly something Real Madrid should learn when they play in Germany, best I’ve seen Arsenal defend in a long time but most impressed with Arteta and Ramsey off the ball positioning. After it went 1-0 Dortmund were poor. I just think you give bvb the ball they are clueless they rely heavily on transitions which has been successful for them but let them have possession and they are average as they come. Am I the only one who thinks Rosicky is Arsenals best playmaker ? Always impresses me technically and tactically
this is just too much for me, BVB outplayed, outclassed Arsenal in every way, they had more CCC than Arsenal you said that BVB had 0 CCC. LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL
Arsenal fans are like rats, when you lost with BVB at home, you were silent, now you get luckly 0:1 and you are saying, that Dortmund was clueless with the ball and average
“but let them have possession and they are average as they come.” Maybe that is the reason why arsenal had no shots on target during the first half and they just parked the bus.
Omg, arsenal rats, you are more pathetic than United and Chelsea fans.
Take a deep breath and relax. You are getting hysterical for no reason (other than perhaps your hatred of Arsenal and their fans)
BvB outplayed Arsenal in the first half, no doubt. Second half was a different story though. Both sides had good chances – Arsenal took theirs and dominated for a stretch before seeing out the match comfortably. BTW Arsenal were the better team in their home match but Dortmund won – that’s football. Get over it.
“but let them have possession and they are average as they come.” Maybe that is the reason why arsenal had no shots on target during the first half and they just parked the bus.
Do you even know what the term parking the bus means?!?
So…potentially three straight Arsenal articles in a row? (Not that I resent that, as an Arsenal fan
ZM is an Arsenal fan
Klopp working wonders with essentially good, rather than top class players. 3 starters from CL final all missing. gundogan, pisczek & hummels probably played it’s part
“Arsenal rats”
..oh dear, none but a ranting BVB Fan can write like that, we need to deal with such folks over here in Germany very badly.
Too much success in a small amount of time I guess.
Dortmund has only themselves to blame for not scoring in the first half. They were choking Arsenal like I have seldom seen in a CL match, maybe like Bayern vs Juve last season.
With Dortmund tactically and physically way superior (at least the first 60mins), some of their players lacked patience and/or precision for playing the final pass (Mikhi chance aside). I am referring to Kuba (lack of precision) and Reus (lack of patience) here. Hummels might have helped them, too.
That aside, Arsenal played well overall, and it seemed to me really ‘learned something yesterday’. They should not have any problems thrashing ManU next weekend – bad luck excepted.
Thanks for the detailed article.
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Wenger played the same way against Guardiola’s Barca years ago, he parked the bus for the first 60 mins while Barca pressed hard and dominated everything. But pressing drains a ton of stamina and can’t be maintained forever, and once Barca’s intensity dropped off the team was able to attack more. He got a draw and a win against Barca at home that way, but in the return leg the firepower of Barca at home was far too much for his team to hold back. Perhaps the result could have been different if Wenger had a better defense and midfield that time, like he currently has.
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