After an extremely tight 1-0 win over Besiktas in the Champions league play-offs, Arsenal have made it to the group stages of the Champions League. It has been 17 years in a row Arsenal have managed to secure their passage into the prestigious competition and this is a statistic not to be taken lightly.

Arsenal have drawn Borussia Dortmund, Galatasaray and Anderlecht from the three remaining pots. On paper, it may seem like Arsenal have a fairly tricky draw on their hands because all the other teams involved either finished as champions or as runners up in their respective leagues.

Here is an in depth analysis of what to expect from each team.

Borussia Dortmund

Placed in the same group alongside Arsenal last season, both sides picked up points away from home against each other in last year’s edition which shows that they are fairly even in terms of quality. Dortmund will be Arsenal’s main opposition when it comes to fighting for 1st place in the group. Last year, they edged Arsenal to 1st only on goal difference in an unprecedented group in which the top three teams all finished on 12 points. Arsenal will be looking to do better this term with marquee signing Alexis Sanchez to bolster the attack.

Dortmund started this season off with a 2-0 win against their arch rivals Bayern Munich in the DFL-Supercup. Although they haven’t gotten off to the best start in the Bundesliga, they are not a team to be underestimated and with world class talents like Marco Reus, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, among others, they cannot be written off.

Galatasaray S.K.

Galatasaray caused a stir in last year’s Champions League when they usurped Italian giants Juventus to take 2nd spot in Group B alongside Real Madrid. They will look to cause a stir this time around as well but they will have to do it without their ex-striker Didier Drogba who left on a free to join Chelsea this summer. Their pre-season seems to have gone well with 5 friendlies played resulting in 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss. Most recently they lost the Football Federation Cup to their arch rivals Fenerbahce in a penalty shootout. With star players such as Wesley Sneijder and Burak Yilmaz, they could be a threat on their night but on paper it does not seem too likely.

R.S.C. Anderlecht

Belgian based Anderlecht have gotten off to a near perfect start in their domestic league by winning four and drawing one of their five games played. Pulled in from Pot 4, Anderlecht are expected to be the whipping boys of this table. They do have a young Serbian striker named Aleksander Mitrovic. Reports indicate he snubbed Arsenal last summer to join Anderlecht. Dubbed the new Zlatan Ibrahimovic, he has scored 3 goals and earned one assist in the opening 5 games and could be one to look out for.

Other players to look out for are Matias Suarez and Dennis Praet. Although Anderlecht plays the role of the underdog in this group, they could use youth and unpredictability to their advantage, although it does seem more likely that a season of Europa League football could be a realistic aim for them.

Top of the table for Arsenal?

Going through in the ‘Group of Death’ last year by the finest of margins, matters seemed to be more assured and calm this time around. Arsenal are expected to go through with ease this season.

My prediction is Arsenal will end up topping their group with Dortmund coming in a close 2nd. I think Anderlecht will cause a mini surprise and finish above Galatasaray in the Europa League spot.

Latest:

Follow Arsenal Latest on TwitterRSS FeedFollow Arsenal Latest on facebookSubscribe by email



Follow Arsenal Latest on TwitterRSS FeedArsenal Latest news on FacebookSubscribe by email

Comments  

#9 TC 2014-08-31 20:09
On todays showing we will be going out in the first round.
#8 over and over again 2014-08-30 13:24
Arsenal have clearly much more class and depth in the squad than any of the other three teams. Therefore, regardless of the signings (which are crucial if we want to bid for the Premiership), we can expect Arsenal to top the group table this year.
+1 #7 Davith 2014-08-29 17:31
It seems that many Arsenal fans are of my opinion. Three new players required to finish in top two of CL. otherwise forget it.
Do not be surprised if nothing happens Wenger is a stubborn manager, and does not like being told what his team requires.
Remember, " you don't win things with kids", "you need a more physical presence in midfield" and now " you require strength at centre back, midfield and centre forward"?????
#6 TC 2014-08-29 09:55
WE won't go far withpout new players, Wonga knows this but hey he has a result already we have qualified for the CL again. Its getting boring now, WTF does he not bring in nthe players we need, reason :-...... saving money for the board and his extortionate wages.
+1 #5 Gervais 2014-08-29 04:58
Same old same old.... Unless AW strengthens the team, Arsenal to finish group in 2nd place and draw Real Madrid or Barca in knock out phase. Real have Falcao, Ronaldo, Rodriguez. Barca, Suarez, Messi and Neymar... Who is Arsene kidding???
#4 onn 2014-08-29 01:58
If AW didn't buy new center forward...arsenal
cannot challenge dortmund,anderlect or
Galatasaray....we must buy new centre foward
Like dzeko,lewandowski ...manzukic,chicharito
Like Atletico Madrid ...D.costa go to chelsea
And they buy Manzukic to replace D.Costa...
Now A.Madrid same strong like last season
So we must bring new center foward to replace
Giroud
#3 Wolfgang Gunner 2014-08-28 23:54
The gunners could have been knocked out.Their attack is predictable like MU and Pool.How did Pool concede the third goal?
Their attack was stifled and a through ball did the trick.
+1 #2 Tboy 2014-08-28 23:10
As am looking it AW isn't ready to fix arsenal problems of unable to collect trophies,is still likely to remain on his 4th radar based on his poor decisions of not signing the cogent position the team is lacking I.e DM and a sharp striker.
+1 #1 peterjon mapp 2014-08-28 22:44
Unless AW buys a quality striker DM and Central back arsenal will be able to compete not advance. In addition he will miss out on CL next year and a further 20M