Arsenal 2-0 Borussia Dortmund: five talking points

http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/nov/26/arsenal-borussia-dortmund-talking-points

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1 Ja ja, Yaya

Arsène Wenger has always been a man of conviction - and one of those convictions takes the gargantuan form of Yaya Sanogo. The Frenchman suddenly unleashed his potential before Borussia Dortmund had found a moment to settle, juggling the ball and exhanging passes with Santi Cazorla with a flicked backheel before advancing to nutmeg Roman Weidenfeller. It was a fantastically improbable way to open his Arsenal account. Selected ahead of more senior attackers, with Lukas Podolski and Joel Campbell on the bench, Sanogo towered above the team-mates he collaborated with up front. He faded, but that start was invaluable to a team that had been struggling for confidence.

2 Oxlade-Chamberlain learning tricks from Sánchez

One of the features of this recent troublesome spell has been the exemplary effort levels of Arsenal’s indefatigable Chilean. Over recent games Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has done his utmost to emulate some of that drive and dynamism and the improvement in his game is telling. He excelled during his 100th appearance for the club. Early in the second half he struck the woodwork with an audacious effort. Moments later, Sanchez went a fraction better to score Arsenal’s second. Wenger is delighted with Oxlade-Chamberlain’s evolution. “He is developing into a real team player who is still able to express his talent,” says the Arsenal manager.

3 Third-choice goalkeeper with a couple of first-rate saves

Wenger had inexperience at both ends of his team. With both Wojciech Szczesny and David Ospina injured, Emiliano Martínez, Arsenal’s 22 year old Argentinian, made his first ever start at the Emirates. Although Dortmund were not at their most zestful, Martínez’s temperament and ability were tested while Arsenal endeavoured to protect a one-goal lead. He denied Henrikh Mkhitaryan with an outstretched leg at his hear post – a fine stop – and handled solidly overall. It was an important moment in helping Arsenal to rebuild their self-belief.

4 Borussia’s blues

Jurgen Klopp likened this excursion to a holiday, such are the complications at home as his team underwhelm in the Bundesliga. Despite being already qualified for the group stages and still heavy favourites to top the group, there was a disjointedness about the Germans which made the oddity of their domestic postition a little easier to comprehend. Klopp fumed on the touchline, sometimes simmering quietly, other times ranting at the fourth official. As Wenger noted knowingly: “It is part of the process when you stay at a club for a long time. It’s not only highs, it’s lows, and that is part of what a manager has to go through.” Wise words.

5 Arsenal must rue Anderlecht collapse

Had they not frittered away a three-goal lead last time out in the Champions League, Arsenal would be level on points with Dortmund going into the final group games. The damage of finishing second in the group stage has been an annual headache for Arsenal, and they are used to drawing powerful opponents in the last 16. Bayern Munich twice, Milan and Barcelona in recent seasons tells a familar story. Although Dortmund should still be favourites to finish top this time, with a home game against Anderlecht next while Arsenal head to Istanbul for Galatasaray, there really could have been a spicier finale.