Will We Out-Counter Dortmund?

I expect our only hope, and what I expect Arsene will also do is to fill the midfield with central midfield players.

I expect Ramsey/Arteta in the middle and Rosicky/Wilshere on the wing. Rosicky is quite a responsible player and will protect Gibbs. I am not sure we can start with Santi.

We have to dominate possession and not do what we have been doing for the last 6 months and playing counter attack after going ahead. The counter attack game suits Arteta/Mertesacker. This is why our possession stats are not as hot as they used to be. But we really have to go back to the tactics when Cesc/Nasri/RVP.

What do we think of Arteta in the CL?

He's flattered to deceive imo. I'll be a bit wary of him as he will start tomorrow.

Aubameyang won't start will he? Kuba is better

comment by Sheriff John Brown - bring back David Dein (U7482)
posted 1 hour, 19 minutes ago
Whether Dortmund have more of the ball depends on whether we decide to sit deep. Dortmund are not a possession side. They're a very dynamic, counter-attacking outfit. I would expect Arsenal to control possession - perhaps in harmless areas. Dortmund will sit in their half and press as soon as we enter it.
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Eh? No way would Dortmund sit in their half. They play on the counter and move the ball quickly but they still dominate possession. I remember against Madrid last season when it took Mourinho 3 matches against them (in the groups + the semis first leg)to realize he needed Modric to stop Dortmund overrunning his midfield cos their energy was too much for poor Alonso and Kheidira and Ozil. And Dortmund pressed it pretty high up the pitch.

They will certainly dominate possession against us. Especially as this has been our worst season possession wise in the past decade. Robbie Savage showed stats from Opta showing we've seen a big decline in our average possession.

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You're really over-exaggerating here. Away from home, against a side of our quality, Dortmund will not play the majority of the game in our half. They only had 43% of the ball against Marseille on their own turf. They usually concede possession away from home against top teams.

I am aware of our change in emphasis, but Dortmund ar4e not the type of team to pass the ball around aimlessly. The only way that they'll dominate the ball is if they completely prevent us from passing it. They don't play like Barcelona.

"Especially as this has been our worst season possession wise in the past decade. Robbie Savage showed stats from Opta showing we've seen a big decline in our average possession."

That's on purpose though. Arsenal just let teams keep the ball.
You're acting as if we're struggling.

Think Wenger realised possession means nothing if there's no purpose behind it. Prefer this style.

"Fack. Not optimistic now. I would consider playing both Jack and Ramsey in midfield and maybe bring Nacho in on the left because Aubameyang is going to try pin Gibbs back for the entire match."

You've already lost the match when you let fear dictate your selection.

Arsenal should focus on their own game. We have more than enough about us to hurt them.

You're really over-exaggerating here. Away from home, against a side of our quality, Dortmund will not play the majority of the game in our half. They only had 43% of the ball against Marseille on their own turf. They usually concede possession away from home against top teams.
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They were battering Marseille and creating chances at will while Marseille kept sterile possession and Dortmund never saaw a reason to overstretch themselves. If it's level and they need goals, they're well capable of asserting themselves on the game. Tbf, they keep the ball better with Gundogan who has been missing.

That's on purpose though. Arsenal just let teams keep the ball.
You're acting as if we're struggling.

Think Wenger realised possession means nothing if there's no purpose behind it. Prefer this style.
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I wouldn't say it's on purpose. We're just not at our full attacking and passing rhythm yet. We give the ball away a lot more than usual in the middle. Giroud's obsession with flicks also sees us turn over the ball a lot in the last 3rd of the pitch. And we don't press the ball very well with energy and intensity.

They were battering Marseille and creating chances at will while
Marseille kept sterile possession and Dortmund never saaw a reason to
overstretch themselves. If it's level and they need goals, they're well
capable of asserting themselves on the game. Tbf, they keep the ball
better with Gundogan who has been missing.
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I get that they're capable, but the first part of your comment sums up how they play, really. A very efficient and dynamic team, no nonsense. However the game pans out, it will be tight and competitive.

I love watching Dortmund play, let me hope that I don't love what I see from them too much, tonight.