Arsenal welcome potential new gaffer to the Emirates

Previous Meetings

Borussia Dortmund 2-0 Arsenal (2014/15 Champions League)

Borussia Dortmund 0-1 Arsenal (2013/14 Champions League)

Arsenal 1-2 Borussia Dortmund (2013/14 Champions League)

Arsenal 2-1 Borussia Dortmund (2011/12 Champions League)

Borussia Dortmund 1-1 Arsenal (2011/12 Champions League)

Injuries

Arsene Wenger will be unable to call upon the ineligible Olivier Giroud, as well as freshly injured duo Wojciech Szczesny and Jack Wilshere, who join Laurent Koscielny, Mesut Ozil, David Ospina, Theo Walcott and Mathieu Debuchy on the sidelines.

Reported Arsenal target Marco Reus won’t be available for the Bundesliga side after tearing his ankle ligaments – the German international isn’t expected back until early 2015.

Blazer’s Bets

Both teams to score seems a simple one but sometimes you’ve got to take the ‘easy’ bets, and given that Emiliano Martinez will behind our makeshift back four, as well as Dortmund’s defensive troubles, I’d expect a few goals – Ladbrokes 4/7 is your place to go.

Not a bet I tend to favour, however, 32Red’s 19/10 for there to be a goal between 0-15 minutes is taking my fancy. I just feel with our need for a response, coupled with Dortmund’s style of play, we will see an open and explosive beginning to proceedings.

Predictions

Dortmund’s Bundesliga position isn’t a real representation of their capabilities and there’s no doubting they’re still one of Europe’s top sides, which means this won’t be an easy clash for Arsenal to stop the rot. However, we need a result AND a performance, irrelevant of who the opposition are and, you know what, I’m fancying the boys to come through for us.

Arsenal 2-1 Borussia Dortmund (Ramsey and Sanchez)