Following a bitterly disappointing 2-1 defeat at home to Manchester United in our last game, the Gunners turned it around tonight with an impressive 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund to end their 100% record so far this year in the Champions League.

Arsenal started brightly with a first Arsenal goal for 21-year-old Frenchman, Yaya Sanogo, who tucked the ball through Weidenfeller’s legs inside of two minutes following a back heel to Santi Cazorla who returned the ball to Sanogo with a clever reverse through pass.

Sanogo found himself through on goal again just minutes later, however failed to convert this time as he hesitated and was let down by a poor touch seeing the ball swept from his by a Dortmund defender.

Dortmund’s chances were certainly few and far between, however a crucial Kieran Gibbs tackle prevented Aubameyang from charging through to the Arsenal goal. A close range save from Emiliano Martinez kept Dortmund at bay late in the first half to see Arsenal progress in to the second half with a 1-0 lead.

Alex Oxlade Chamberlain saw his spectacular volley bounce off the crossbar as he came agonisingly close to doubling Arsenal’s lead. Wenger’s side then got an important second goal with an incredible solo effort from Alexis Sanchez who watched his shot curl in to the bottom corner.

Player ratings

Emiliano Martinez - 6 - Thrown in to the deep end following an injury to first choice goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, Martinez didn’t have an awful lot to do as Dortmund struggled to break down the Arsenal defence. However, Martinez did everything that was required from him including a standout save from a close range Mkhitaryan shot.

Kieran Gibbs - 8 - Hardly put a foot wrong tonight, being a strong candidate for the man of the match award. Solid both defensively as well as making adventurous overlapping runs to support Alexis Sanchez down the left side of the midfield. A crucial tackle prevented Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from having a one-on-one chance in a much improved defensive performance.

Per Mertesacker - 6 - Still not reaching the heights of his influential performances last season, but Per managed to organise the defence much more efficiently in a clean sheet for the Gunners.

Nacho Monreal - 6 - Often used unfairly as a scapegoat unfairly by Arsenal fans, Nacho Monreal has proved he can be a useful player to the Arsenal squad. He coped well with the pace of the Dortmund attack to keep their most dangerous players quiet to contribute to the 2-0 win.

Calum Chambers - 7 - He has adapted fantastically since being asked to play a pivotal role in the Arsenal side at such a young age. Again Chambers showed that he could cope at the highest level contributing impressively both defensively and offensively tonight.

Mikel Arteta - 7 - A controlled and composed performance from the skipper on display tonight as his experience showed throughout. His ability to break up play and start attacks was an important part to Arsenal’s game tonight, however he limped off with an injury halfway through the second half.

Aaron Ramsey - 6 - A quiet performance from the Welshman as he looks to recapture his stand out performances from last season. He looks frustrated and almost as if he is trying too hard at times, hopefully he can return to form soon.

Santi Cazorla - 8 - A revitalised Cazorla managed to provide both assists for the Arsenal goals tonight as he played an important role in the number 10 position left vacant as a result of injuries to Mesut Ozil and Jack Wilshere. A clever reverse pass for the opening goal to find Yaya Sanogo being the standout moment for Santi Cazorla in tonight’s match.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - 7 - Another splendid performance from the ever improving Chamberlain sparked Arsenal in to life in the attacking third as he marked his 100th appearance for Arsenal. Unlucky not to score as his stunning volley rebounded against the crossbar early in the second half.

Alexis Sanchez - 7- Arsenal’s most consistent performer proved again why he is so vital to the Gunners. Doubling Arsenal’s lead in the 57th money cutting on to his right foot and curling the past the goalkeeper in to the bottom corner.

Yaya Sanogo - 7- Having not played since August, young striker Sanogo looked surprisingly sharp and repaid Wenger’s faith by giving Arsenal the perfect start to score his first Arsenal goal. Sanogo pressed well, but disappointingly was substituted having what looked like a hamstring pull.

Mathieu Flamini - 5- Held his position well defensively to keep out the Dortmund attack to contribute to an Arsenal clean sheet, having come on for the inured Mikel Arteta.

The Gunners then held out defensively to see off an out of form Dortmund side to secure their place in the next round of the Champions League, also the win giving them the chance of still topping the group if results go in their favour.



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

Comments  

#17 Jack Gunner 2014-11-28 13:20
Now to carry on by beating WBA.Wenger has given too much emphasis to attack at the expense of defence especially in the MU game.
The cl win will go down the drain if they can't beat WBA.As JN said this win does not exonerate Wenger.He has to prove he is still capable of guiding Arsenal to success.If not calls for his exit will grow louder.
#16 John Ndedigwe 2014-11-28 03:31
Go Arsenal Go and beat West Brom on Saturday. Wenger please don't change a winning team. The likes of Joel Campbell, Podolski and Rosisky should be given a chance to prove themselves. Arsene, please don't go back to Welbeck. When is Walcott coming back fully? We miss him a lot. Young Sonogo is growing gradually and will soon mature for bigger assignment. Always a Gunner. I know we'll soon come back to our our winning ways provided Wenger does return to his gambling and experimentations.
#15 jack 2014-11-28 01:12
a lucky game for arsenal..after being unlucky against man united we got the luck..but how long can we depend on luck..
arsene wenger does not know how to get a team to defend
all the time conceding silly goals, with the players running back to szeczny's goal as if he was on fire.
no midfielder in this team knows how to follow a runner..only know how to defend by dropping back in front of goal and crowding out the opposition attack..and it is when the numerous times the arsenal midfielders get lazy to chase back..arsenal are left open and opponents score easy goals..everyone from wenger till martinez needs a good smack on the forehead..

not hating...but its been 8 years of only knowing how to attack and no clue about defending
+1 #14 Franklin Udeme 2014-11-27 23:52
"]Good to have Arsenal beat Dortmund. It was a good payback as Arsenal defeated Dortmund 2-0. Trying Sanogo gave us the expected result. Let Welbeck rest a while and let Sanogo, Podolski and Campbell be tried. Giroud coming back will boost the attack. With Giroud and Walcott we'll all get. Please let Wenger wake up.

Bravo Arsenal. Let this tempo be sustained. This victory will be the magic to roughhandle West Brom on Saturday. This is the tonic required to come out victorious in other matches. Let us come back to winning lines. This winning does not exonerate Wenger
+1 #13 Barnabas 2014-11-27 20:41
i think carzola showed his exprience
+1 #12 new na 2014-11-27 13:07
The real test currently is in the league when we play against a well defensive team.
+3 #11 Dyson 2014-11-27 10:50
what a display,hopefully wenger wl adress all the areas of concern and nt jst buying who ever is available,the problem wl remain for ever.Experienced players are needed instead of scouting young ones only to be sold.
#10 chidi 2014-11-27 10:45
I think wenger isn't treating campbell and poldoski right. Congrats to d d lads buh I think campbell and poldoski both shld b ahead of sanogo. Atleast Joel is faster and may hv scored one or two himself. Poldoski is our best finisher and has shown great maturity on and off the pitch I think he shld b rewarded wit a start. Rosicky might b old but infront arteta and flamini he is better than Ramsey currently pls wenger dnt make us hate U!
+3 #9 Bastian johanen 2014-11-27 10:18
I think Chambers can play DM
+1 #8 clockendjim 2014-11-27 09:34
At last an overall balanced performance from Arsenal where they abandoned their gungho silliness and defended like a team. Why did it take them so long ?
If they had done that against Anderlecht, Swansea and Man Utd, we would have won all those matches and not be in the unfortunate position we find ourselves just now.
Those 6 points would have put us 4th in the PL and things would be looking quite rosy
-2 #7 Ukam Linus 2014-11-27 08:33
The first step toward success is taken when refuse to be the captive of the environment or situation you first find yourself in. Arsenal plapers and Arsene Wneger must know and go for the jonggle of their opponents to win their matches.
+2 #6 Andre Bagz 2014-11-27 08:31
We still gotta address our issues in CB and DFM, with Arteta's constant injuries we'll need a young lad in the center of the park....i have to see more of Campbell and Poldi...If we use those two we wudn't hav to overwork Alexis....Ramsey has not reclaimed his form...he could use a rest...Welbz too..
Overall good work Gunners
+5 #5 Dougie Mudzingwa 2014-11-27 08:21
Good game and result. At least the team played as a unit. Wenger needs to work on Per, who seem to like to venture forward too much yet he lacks speed for recovery. Sanongo scored but to me he is not yet a player to rely on. Why does Wenger hates Podolski and Campbell. I see them as better players than Sanogo.
+4 #4 Jack Gunner 2014-11-27 06:23
Ok Arsenal beat unbeaten BD. Make sure this is not aflash in the pan . One swallow does not a summer make.
Make sure the gunners can maintain this in the epl.
#3 newman 2014-11-27 06:07
I think this is arsenals best performance of the season thus far...solid display both offensively and defensively...there' s need for constant improvement though..but all the same I tink its time to make the change long over due, wenger needs to go too arrogant and don't admit to mistakes
-6 #2 Ken 2014-11-27 03:14
Wnger is like a lazy goat who has to be kicked hard in the back to prepare his team selection meticulously and train them for the opposition.
In a couple of days he will again turn out to his own lazy arrogant style and forget about the inadequacies of his team.
This is an instability in itself, like a team being on and off regualrly. That's why he has to go, because HE WILL NEVER LEARN, HE IS TOO ARROGANT AND SELF CENTRED.
#1 John Ndedigwe 2014-11-27 02:36
Good to have Arsenal beat Dortmund. It was a good payback as Arsenal defeated Dortmund 2-0. Trying Sanogo gave us the expected result. Let Welbeck rest a while and let Sanogo, Podolski and Campbell be tried. Giroud coming back will boost the attack. With Giroud and Walcott we'll all get. Please let Wenger wake up.

Bravo Arsenal. Let this tempo be sustained. This victory will be the magic to roughhandle West Brom on Saturday. This is the tonic required to come out victorious in other matches. Let us come back to winning lines. This winning does not exonerate Wenger