Kevin Whitcher
Arsenal’s display against Dortmund was an authoritative example of how to play European football. I have ventured before that the team seem more comfortable against continental opposition, although what was interesting about Dortmund was their reliance on the long ball pumped into the area as the second half wore on. Arsene Wenger’s team coped with both this and the more orthodox approach play before the interval. Sure there were a couple of scares just after the half-time break, but with the visitors needing a win it was inevitable they would fashion something half decent in 90 minutes, but they weren’t allowed many opportunities and credit is due to the home side for that.
With Koscielny at right back, it suddenly looks as though Arsenal have found a settled line up. Mertesacker and Andre Santos had probably their best games for the club so far. With Santos, one wonders how much fitness – or rather the lack of it – had to do with his questionable start. He is beginning to look like a player worth buying. The star man was probably Alex Song. He made big contributions defensively, often filling in intelligently for Santos, and showed the other side of his game in the dribble that set up the opening goal. As for Robin van Persie, what can be said? The man just keeps scoring. He is enjoying the kind of purple patch that will inevitably end sometime, but Gooners everywhere are enjoying it while it lasts.
The Dortmund fans made it feel like an away game, such was their volume. I was amazed the police allowed them to have such a large allocation, as they took a chunk of the upper tier as well. They made a hell of a racket, even at 2-0 down and fair play to them for that. Arsenal fans only really found their voice when the team went ahead.
The Dortmund goal was a result of a lack of concentration with the thought that the job was done. If the score had been 1-0, I am not convinced it would have been conceded. Was it a coincidence the move came from the left side of Dortmund’s attack where a certain Johan Djourou had replaced Koscielny? In the build-up to the goal, he was beaten far too easily by his opponent. Let’s hope Koscielny’s removal from the fray was precautionary as Djourou is like a fish out of water at right back.
Anyway, the group has been won. In theory that should mean a less difficult opponent in the next round. It certainly won’t be Barcelona, although it could be Milan. Whoever it is, if Arsenal’s current form continues, they should fear no-one. Let’s hope complacency does not set in, starting with the visit of Fulham on Saturday.
The current issue of the Gooner is available to buy online here
Kevin Whitcher’s newly updated version of the book co-written with Alex Fynn, ‘Arsènal: The Making of a Modern Superclub’ is available in paperback from publishers Vision Sports for a reduced price of £6.99 including postage if you use the promo code ‘Gooner’ on the page that appears after you click ‘buy now’. Click here to order.
