Arsenal Satisfied Despite Conceding Stunner

Arsene Wenger's subtle fist pump when the final whistle was blown in Germany told you all you need to know. Confined to the stands, and guarded intently by two rather large body guards due to a European touchline ban, Wenger watched over his Arsenal players from high up as they battled for the all important point, and despite being so close to the win, Wenger was satisfied by what his side got.

The atmosphere was harsh and intimidating, with over 80,000 football fans urging their side on with typical unwavering passion, and with both sides needing a kick start in their Champions League campaign inside the potentially very tricky Group F, a lot was riding on this game.

Dortmund's free-flowing play contrasted with Arsenal's inability to get the ball and keep hold of it, and then go forward in attack. There were one or two good chances for the Gunners to open the scoring, but very few were clear cut, with one Gervinho chance in particular in the first half in which he rounded the keeper only to have a weak shot cleared off the line standing out as Arsenal's best chance early on.

Dortmund were able to surge forward again and again with confidence, helped by their exuberant and talented young players, especially 19 year-old German Mario Gotze who will most certainly be a big star in the very near future. The young man's quick thinking and silky skills often left the Arsenal defence in disarray, and with better finishing and final product, Arsenal will have been punished far more.

Otherwise, Mertesacker and Koscielny held together well, battling to keep the young German clubs attack at bay despite a few worrying moments, the back two being helped a lot by the impressive Alex Song who broke up the play a number of times, relieving the considerable pressure off the defence.

Arsenal's resilience and luck paid off when the captain Robin van Persie intercepted a very poor pass in the 42nd minute from Dortmund's Sebastien Kehl. Walcott uncharacteristically played a good ball through the defence, showing a rare moment of footballing vision for van Persie to chase and finish to give Arsenal the lead.

Dortmund then realised they needed to buck up their ideas, and despite a number of chances as well as huge support from the home crowd, only an absolute stunner of a goal could win them a point. Ivan Perisic's volley from just outside the area late on few delightfully into the top corner of Sczcesny's net, met with fiercely joyful roars from the home crowd, desperate for something from the game.

All in all, it was an improved performance on Arsenal's behalf, as they seek to get back on track after a terrible start to their campaign. The Swansea win at the week-end was by no means convincing, but an away point to the German Champions will certainly lighten the mood as the Arsenal players travel back to London quietly satisfied by a result soured only by a sweet strike right at the end.

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