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Depleted Gunners wary of Dortmund

Comment: 0 September 13th, 2011 by: admin
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ARSENAL will be a walking-wounded side when they play Borussia Dortmund in their Champions League Group F showdown on Tuesday.

And under-fire manager Arsene Wenger have every reason to be worried again as midfielder Aaron Ramsey hurt his ankle and joined the list of the Gunners’ injured players.

Aside from Ramsey, also out due to injuries are playmakers Jack Wilshere and Tomas Rosicky, as well as defender Thomas Vermaelen.

The Gunners got off to a struggling start in the Premier League this season, nailing only their first win after 3 awful starts with a 1-0 victory over newly-promoted Swansea last Saturday.

Arsenal have another problem when they play at Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park Stadium because Wenger will be missing from the touchlines as he is serving a 2-match Champions League ban.

“We have high respect for Dortmund and we need to play well against t hem,’’ said Wenger. “They are well-organised and are very strong going forward.’’

One positive thing going for the Gunners though is the fact that Dortmund are also struggling in form lately. They were stunned 2-1 by Hertha Berlin and absorbed their first home setback in 18 games.

However, Dortmund, returning to the Champions League after being away for eight years, are expected to aim for a big rebound and will be inspired by the return of German teenage star Mario Goetze who will be back after a suspension. The 19-year-old Goetze will bolster the home side’s midfield along with the cat-quick Shinju Kagawa and Kevin Grosskreutz.

Despite Arsenal’s manpower problems, Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp said he still expects the Gunners to mount an all-out attack.

Arsenal have signed up Germany defender Per Mertesacker and Spain midfielder Mikel Arteta recently to address their manpower deficiency.

“Maybe five or six weeks from now, Arsenal will look different when their side has settled,’’ added Klopp. “But they have a good team regardless of who is on the pitch.’’

Completing Group F are Genk of Belgium and Olympiacos of Greece.

 

AUTHOR’S OPINION
Arsenal may be plagued by injuries and are still smarting from their awful start in the season but they can pull off a surprise anytime. Dortmund should not be complacent because the visitors might catch them napping right at their very own turf.

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