Live Text isn't live anymore, this is a record of the match events.
90
HIGHLIGHTS AND REACTION: Stay close to Arsenal Player for the best of the action and all the post-match interviews.
90
REMINDER: Stay online for our post-match show. Dan Roebuck and Martin Hayes will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
Full Time ALL OVER: Arsenal begin their Group F campaign with a 1-1 draw in Dortmund. Many, many positives to take from tonight.
90
Yellow Card LATE BOOKING: As Arsenal look to see out the game, Arteta wins another free-kick and Bender goes into the book.
90
LAST-DITCH STUFF FORM ARSENAL: This time, Koscielny throws himself in front of a shot to make a brave block.
90
VITAL STOP FROM SZCZESNY: For a minute, it looks like Lewandowski is in on goal but, very bravely, Wojciech falls at his feet before he can get a shot away.
89
ARSENAL NEED TO BE CAREFUL: Dortmund come forward again and Szczesny is forced into a smart save at his near post.
88
Arsenal do well to head the ball away but, from outside the area, Perisic spectacularly volleys into the top-right corner. He will never strike a ball as well as that as long as he plays football. So harsh on Arsenal, who have played well tonight.
88
GOAL! - Ivan Perisic 1 : 1 Perisic finds the top corner with a wonder strike. Unbelievable.
Top Comments:
Kenny Sansom says:
That is so disappointing but you have to say it was a wonderful volley. He smashed it into the top corner. Arsenal have to hold on now, they can still lose this game
87
DORTMUND FREE-KICK: Song is penalised and the home side have a crossing position…
86
REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match show. Dan Roebuck and Martin Hayes will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
85
TWO DEFENSIVE CHANGES: Immediately, Santos breaks up play. Arsenal are just killing time now
84
Substitution And an Arsenal debut for Andre Santos, who replaces Gervinho
Top Comments:
AbiaHashmi on Twitter says:
Andre Santos debuting for Arsenal. Mr. Brazilian show us what you got.
84
Substitution AND TWO ARSENAL SUBS: Chamakh on for Van Persie, who hands the captains’ armband to Alex Song.
83
Substitution FINAL DORTMUND CHANGE: Zidan on for Kagawa
82
GOTZE SCUFFS ONE: The teenager will be disappointed with that as he drags an effort harmlessly wide from inside the area. Decent chance, that.
81
WONDERFUL SAVE FROM SZCZESNY: I’m not sure how much he knew about that one, mind. Arsenal fail to clear a corner and, when the bobbling ball is hooked goalwards from inside the six-yard box, it hits Wojciech and he clings on.
Top Comments:
nachawani on Twitter says:
That was a good save, just hang on guys
80
Yellow Card SAGNA IN THE BOOK: For time wasting…
79
ARSENAL WILL TAKE THAT: A free-kick is headed away by Arteta and, with time and space to find a cross, Blaszczykowski blazes over.
Top Comments:
Kenny Sansom says:
My finishing was poor when I played and that was one of my finishes! With my right foot!
78
LAST 12 MINUTES: Defending is the name of the game for now. Dortmund come forward again but the Arsenal defence repel again.
77
REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match show. Dan Roebuck and Martin Hayes will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
76
Substitution ARSENAL CHANGE: Frimpong on for Walcott. The youngster moves alongside Alex Song with Benayoun moving out to the left.
75
Yellow Card SCHMELZER IN THE BOOK: For a frustrated lunge on Gervinho.
74
KAGAWA CAN’T GET THERE: Dortmund break with pace down the right and, when the cross comes in, Kagawa can’t reach it.
73
GIBBS VENTURES FORWARD: But he cross is blocked are Dortmund bomb down the other end, are exposed here..
72
WHISTLES FROM THE HOME FANS: As Arsenal keep possession. That shows you how the boys in red are frustrating Dortmund at the moment.
71
WELL DONE ARTETA: Again, the new boys draws a foul which buys Arsenal some respite.
70
20 MINUTES LEFT: Dortmund are seeing more and more of the ball at the moment and Arsenal are on the back foot. But, for the time being, Szczesny has yet to really be tested.
69
REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match show. Dan Roebuck and Martin Hayes will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
68
Substitution SECOND SUB: Perisic is on for Grosskreutz
67
Substitution DOUBLE CHANGE FROM DORTMUND: Kehl is replaced by Blaszczykowski in an attacking substitution
66
VITAL CHALLENGE FROM SONG: Gotze weaves into the area and, just as he is about to shoot, Song makes an inch-perfect intervention. How crucial could that prove to be?
Top Comments:
Kenny Sansom says:
Song has made three or four really good challenges. He has given the ball away too but he's got better as the game has gone on
lupegoulash on Twitter says:
Song is MOTM for sure!
65
ARSENAL PLAYING WITH A REAL MATURITY HERE: The way his side have acquitted themselves in this second half will really please Arsene Wenger. Still good value for the one-goal lead.
Top Comments:
GeneralOma on Twitter says:
I have never been this calm watching arsenal absorb pressure
64
VAN PERSIE DELIVERS: But Weidenfeller is there to claim.
63
A BIT OF ARSENAL PRESSURE: Walcott thumps a free-kick into the wall and Sagna wins a corner on the right…
61
ARSENAL DEFNEDING SUPERBLY: As a team, everyone is mucking in and frustrating Dortmund.
Top Comments:
Misan83 on Twitter says:
A new wall has been built in Germany. And Koscielny´s face is in it! Huge defender!
gregalution on Twitter says:
Playing so strong at the back, truly are a different team when Song plays
60
REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match show. Dan Roebuck and Martin Hayes will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
59
OH, SO NEARLY FOR GERVINHO: The winger bundles his way into the area Weidenfeller comes out to smother. Arteta is back on now
58
ARTETA NEEDS TREATEMENT: After that clout, he will need a cut bandaged up. Arsenal down to 10 for the time being.
56
BRAVE HEADER FROM ARTETA: A Gotze corner reaches the back post and Mikel gets clattered by Hummels as he heads clear. This was a vital interception.
55
A GOOD SPELL FOR ARSENAL, THIS: A lovely ball from Van Persie presents another chance for Walcott but the England man can’t test Weidenfeller from the edge of the box.
54
WHAT A WASTE: But Arsenal won’t mind. Gotze jinks his way into the area and feeds Schmelzer with a really clever reserve ball. With team-mates well placed in the area, the full-back decides to have a shot but hits a woeful effort miles over the bar.
Top Comments:
Kenny Sansom says:
Dortmund have had opportunities and they can only blame themselves. The keepers haven't really been tested in all truth
53
A SIGHTER FORM WALCOTT: A first chance of the half for Arsenal but Theo can’t hit the target.
52
THUMPED OVER THE BAR: Kagawa and Gotze do well on the edge of the area and Piszczek smacks an effort high and wide.
51
REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match show. Dan Roebuck and Martin Hayes will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
50
REALLY WELL PLAYED ALEX SONG: With three yellow shorts snapping at his heels and deep in his own half, the Arsenal man wins a free kick to relieve a bit of pressure.
49
PATIENT BUILD-UP: Arsenal can’t get the ball at the moment. Kagawa brings the ball down from the sky and gets a shot away that is blocked well. The hosts have started the second half very quickly.
48
DORTMUND LOOKING BRIGHT: Kagawa looks to break into the Arsenal half but Arteta tracks him all the way to win the ball back for his side. Good work from the Spanish midfielder.
47
DORTMUND START ON THE FRONT FOOT: Piszczek bombs down the right and whips a dangerous ball across the six-yard box. No-one is there to capitalise and Arsenal clear
47
FIRST TEN MINUTES VERY IMPORTANT: If Arsenal can maintain this one-goal lead for 10 or 15 minutes, the hosts will have to chance the game. And that will only play into our hands, you feel.
Kick Off BACK UNDERWAY: No changes for either side.
Half Time THERE GOES THE HALF-TIME WHISTLE: Arsenal lead at the break thanks to that 42nd-minute Van Persie strike. Wenger’s boys, in truth, have spent much of half on the back foot but do we care? Not a jot. 1-0 Arsenal.
Top Comments:
MickTheGooner on Twitter says:
Arsenal Passing Accuracy 1st Half: Arteta 89%, Benayoun 75%, Song 71%
colmanfla on Twitter says:
Dortmund look threatening arteta and song need to control it more
garyscott98 on Twitter says:
I am really liking the look of the Arsenal! Still a long way to go, however things are looking good!
45
ONE LAST CHANCE? One-touch passing from Dortmund nearly frees Grosskreutz but Szczesny claims and that should be there for the first half.
45
… of which there will only be one minute.
44
STILL WORK TO BE DONE HERE: Dortmund pile forward but Arsenal hold firm to clear as the clock ticks into injury time…
43
THE ARSENAL FANS CAN BE HEARD NOW: An vital five minutes just before half time. Keep things tight and take a lead into the break.
42
A bit of a gift but, oh my, what great composure shown by the Dutchman in front of goal. Kehl underhits a pass on halfway and Van Persie nips in steal. He plays a one-two with Walcott, races into the area, steadies himself and fires into the net. 1-0 to the Arsenal…
42
GOAL! - Robin van Persie 0 : 1 GOAL FOR ARSENAL! Van Persie opens the scoring with a wonderful finish…
Top Comments:
Kenny Sansom says:
What a fantastic finish. Theo Walcott with a lovely pass and what a cool finish from Van Persie. What a great time to score as well.
Kenny Sansom says:
One-nil to Arsenal. Whether they deserve it... I'm not sure! But it was a very well-taken goal
Martin Hayes says:
Dortmund were starting to press and play, we had lost our shape a bit but it was a great goal and it came at a perfect time
thechocolateleg on Twitter says:
SCORED WITH THE CHOCOLATE LEG!
38
TRAVELLING ARSENAL FANS: The Gooners inside the stadium are trying to make themselves heard but, with the sheer size of the stadium, are really struggling to out sing the Dortmund fans.
37
STILL VERY OPEN: Arsenal try to break but Bender muscles Gervinho off the ball.
35
COMFORTABLE FOR SZCZESNY: Dortmund work the ball wide with some neat interchanges on the edge of the area and, when the cross eventually comes in from the right, Lewandowski heads harmlessly into Wojceich’s arms.
34
END-TO-END STUFF NOW: Subotic flings himself in front of Van Persie’s stinging drive to make a decent block and, instantly, Dortmund are off down the other end. Kagawa gets to the byline again and, again, can only cross into the arms of Szczensy.
Top Comments:
Kenny Sansom says:
I think 0-0 at half-time would be fair.
33
REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match show. Dan Roebuck and Martin Hayes will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
32
WEIDENFELLER FORCED INTO ACTION: As I say that, Van Persie springs the offside trap and, left-footed, forces the Dortmund keeper to tip the ball wide of the left-hand post. Much better from Arsenal.
31
GOOD SPELL FOR ARSENAL: The visitors are starting to frustrate the crowd
30
GERVINHO WEAVES THROUGH A COUPLE OF CHALLENGES: But runs into too many Dortmund bodies. It’s gone a bit quiet here, which means Arsenal are getting a foothold on the game.
Top Comments:
Kenny Sansom says:
Gervinho has been our best player - he's been very positive and has taken people on.
29
NO CHANCES OF NOTE: Koscielny throws himself at a Lewandowski cross to head clear. Dortmund are playing some very nice football.
27
LOVELY SKILL FROM GOTZE: The teenage sensation sets Dortmund on the attack with an audacious piece of skill. Kagawa gets to the byline but his looping cross can only find Szczesny.
Top Comments:
Tim Peters says:
Kenny is getting quite animated next to me!
Kenny Sansom says:
Well, they keep playing the ball backwards. So you get Arteta picking up the ball when it should be one of the centre backs. Arteta should be further forward so he's available to collect the ball from the defenders.
26
REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match show. Dan Roebuck and Martin Hayes will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
25
SLOPPY FROM ARSENAL: Yossi’s touch lets him down and the ball goes out for a throw-in to the German side, who are gaining momentum now.
Top Comments:
mandyw13 on Twitter says:
Problem with arsenal is our passing, no one really knows where anyone else is, ball placement is not good.
24
BACK UNDERWAY: After a brief stoppage while Laurent is seen to, Arteta cleverly wins a free-kick deep in his own half. Another chance to ease the pressure on the Arsenal goal.
22
KOSCIELNY DOWN HOLDING HIS FACE: From a Dortmund corner, the French defender clashes heads with a combination of Sagna and an opponent. That looks like a painful one but he will be OK to continue.
Top Comments:
Kenny Sansom says:
I think there is a lack of communication in defence and not just at Arsenal but in the Premier League in general. If you don't talk then you concede goals.
21
GOOD BREAK FORM ARSENAL: Song breaks up play and feeds Gervinho, who sets Walcott on his way down the left. Theo’s touch is a little heavy allowing the defender to get back to clear. For a minute, Walcott threatened to show his man a clean set of heels there.
20
REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match show. Dan Roebuck and Martin Hayes will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
19
IT’S TOWARDS THE TALL GERMAN: But a Dortmund defender is there to head clear. Koscielny hooks the ball back into the area but the hosts clear their lines.
18
WALCOTT WINS ANOTHER CORNER: This is better form Arsenal. Mertesacker jogs into the area for Van Persie’s delivery…
17
FIRED OVER: Gotze feeds Grosskreutz, who is in acres of space on the left, and he drives towards the penalty area, shifts the ball onto his left and drills high over the bar
Top Comments:
watsonben on Twitter says:
How is this game still 0-0?
16
ARSENAL CORNER: Arteta delivers but Weidenfeller is there to punch clear, and Dortmund break…
15
GOTZE: So far, the German youngster has looked very sharp. Picking the ball up ‘in between the lines’ and creating things for his side.
Top Comments:
pogoshift on Twitter says:
Mario Gozte is pretty amazing, why didn't Arsenal think of buying him......?
14
ARSENAL MOVE FORWARD: Benayoun drops deep to start an attack for his side. Walcott flicks the ball to Song, who wins a throw deep in the Dortmund half.
13
A BIT OF RESPITE: Van Persie wins a free-kick in the Dortmund half. A bit of much-needed keep-ball for Arsenal
12
HOME SIDE LOOKING CONFIDENT: Dortmund have had the better of the last five minutes or so, Arsenal need to keep the ball.
Top Comments:
Tim Peters says:
Arsenal keep giving the ball away. That is shocking in midfield - you cannot do that and keep getting away with it. Song really helped out there.
Carl Pink on Twitter says:
Messy, shaky, uneasy start so far for #Arsenal. Lots of yellow banana skins out there!
11
REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match show. Dan Roebuck and Martin Hayes will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
10
SAGNA CLEARS OFF THE LINE: Super defending from the right-back. Lewandowski springs the offside trap, rounds Szczesny and his effort looks goalbound before Sagna hacks clear. Dortmund are on top now.
Top Comments:
Kenny Sansom says:
Amazing. That was a great opportunity. Fair play to Sagna for getting back like all good defenders should do, but that was too easy. Arsenal are very fortunate they are not 2-0 down.
9
SZCZESNY SCREAMING AT HIS DEFENCE: The keeper isn’t happy with that bit if defending that allowed Kagawa a sight at goal.
8
DORTMUND IN AGAIN: This time, Kagawa latches onto a wonderful through ball thumps an effort over the bar. Another big let-off for Arsenal. He could have taken a touch there but decided to take it first time.
Top Comments:
Kenny Sansom says:
That is an average finish, a League One finish. Maybe he was nervous but he had to get his first touch right. Szczesny will be very pleased
7
GERVINHO NEARLY IN: Van Persie slips through his team-mate but Weidenfeller rushes of his line to gather. For a minute there, it looked like he was in.
6
A VERY OPEN GAME: Arsenal are being allowed a lot of time on the ball and people like Arteta, Benayoun and Van Persie are starting to pull the strings.
5
STRAIGHT DOWN THE OTHER END: Dortmund break and Grosskreutz blazes over the bar when well positioned on the left of the area. A bit of a let-off, that.
4
FIRST REAL OPENING: And it falls to Arsenal. Should Gervinho do better there? The Ivory Coast man bursts into the area and it looks like Hummels sticks out a leg just as he is about to pull the trigger. Gervinho was ono-on-one with Weidenfeller, there. Great tackle
Top Comments:
Kenny Sansom says:
That was amazing. A Dortmund defender just fell over and anything low would have been a goal. I like Gervinho though, he attacks, he's a team player. He's a really good signing
3
EARLY EXCHANGES: Both sides are still feeling each other out, here. Arsenal are seeing a lot the ball but no chances as of yet.
Top Comments:
Kenny Sansom says:
We need Arteta to get more involved. Van Persie and Gervinho are in the game but not Arteta
2
TACTICS: Theo from the right and Gervinho on the left, new boy Benayoun just behind Van Persie with Song and Arteta deeper. All as expected.
1
WALCOTT BURSTS DOWN THE RIGHT: A lightening start from Arsenal but Theo can’t get his cross away and Dortmund have an early goal kick.
Kick Off ARSENAL GET US UNDERWAY: A huge roar greets the referee’s whistle and we are off in Germany.
Top Comments:
Rik_Wardle on Twitter says:
C'mon Arsenal, let's play some stylish, flowing football
The Germans suffered their first home defeat in 19 matches at the weekend. Let’s hope home defeats are like London buses for the Bundesliga champions, eh.
HERE COME THE PLAYERS: Arsenal, in their traditional red kit, led out by skipper Van Persie. A spectacular crescendo of noise greets the team as they walk out. This is incredible!
Kick-off is now under 10 minutes away and the atmosphere is building at the BvB Station, the biggest stadium in Germany.
“Overall, there is no difference until we arrive at the stadium,” said the boss.
Wenger will have no communication with his players before kick-off upon arriving at the BvB Station and will not be allowed to transmit messages to his bench during the game.
The manager, of course, begins a two-match suspension after being charged by UEFA following the first leg of the Play-Off Round tie against Udinese in August - when he supposedly defied an existing ban. He was given a ‘stay’ for the second leg in Italy but, this time, he will be forced to watch from the stands.
For Dortmund, teenage sensation Mario Gotze has been singled out by both Arsene Wenger and Per Mertesacker and he starts.
Top Comments:
Tim Peters says:
Believe me, he's a very talented player. He has been likened to Lionel Messi
Fellow new boys Mikel Arteta and Per Mertesacker continue in the side while Alex Song and Gervinho return from their domestic suspensions.
Top Comments:
Martin Hayes says:
Arteta is an Arsenal type of player and Arsenal play through the midfield so he will influence more games than perhaps he did at Everton
The Israel midfielder, who moved to Emirates Stadium on a season-long from Chelsea in August, came off the bench against Swansea at the weekend but starts in Germany.
So Yossi Benayoun will make his full Arsenal debut tonight.
The Arsenal team is in, and here it is: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Song, Arteta, Benayoun, Walcott, Gervinho, Van Persie
Top Comments:
JamieTweet96 on Twitter says:
We spent £15m on Chamberlain, so what is he doing playing for the reserves! I want to see him in the first team
SharonAnn0 on Twitter says:
Very strong team this evening...definitely a positive choice. Should be goooooood!
Martin Hayes says:
It's a strong side and it's capable of getting a result. I think Arsenal will win 2-1
We will bring you the Arsenal team news as soon as we have it…
That's Arsene Wenger's view... but what's yours? Get your comments to www.arsenal.com/studio and join the debate on Twitter #ArsenalLive
“It’s a good opportunity for us to get positive vibes and we need a bit of that. Every team, no matter how good they are, needs confidence and I believe my team needs that at the moment.”
REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match show. Dan and Martin will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
Dan Roebuck and former Gunner Martin Hayes are in the studio for today's match while Arsenal legend Kenny Sansom joins Tim Peters in the commentary box.
Our coverage starts at 7.30pm (UK time) and kick off is 15 minutes later. Open up your laptop and visit player.arsenal.com to hear live audio commentary. If you're following the game on your iPhone or iPad you can listen and read our text updates too.
Arsenal travel to Germany tonight to face Borussia Dortmund in their first Champions League Group F fixture and you've come to the right place to follow the next stage of this season's European adventure.
Borussia Dortmund
01 WEIDENFELLER, Roman
SUBOTIC, Neven
15 HUMMELS, Mats
PISZCZEK, Lukasz
29 SCHMELZER, Marcel
05 KEHL, Sebastian
16 BLASZCZYKOWSKI, Jakub (67)
10 GOTZE, Mario
19 GROSSKREUTZ, Kevin
PERISIC, Ivan (68)
06 BENDER, Sven
LEWANDOWSKI, Robert
KAGAWA, Shinji
10 ZIDAN, Mohamed (83)
LANGERAK, MITCHELL
SANTANA, FELIPE
DA SILVA, ANTONIO
16 BLASZCZYKOWSKI, JAKUB
GUNDOGAN, OLKAY
PERISIC, IVAN
10 ZIDAN, MOHAMED
Arsenal
01 SZCZESNY, Wojciech
03 SAGNA, Bacary
28 GIBBS, Kieran
04 MERTESACKER, Per
06 KOSCIELNY, Laurent
17 SONG, Alex
08 ARTETA, Mikel
14 WALCOTT, Theo
12 FRIMPONG, Emmanuel (76)
27 GERVINHO
11 SANTOS, Andre (84)
30 BENAYOUN, Yossi
20 VAN PERSIE, Robin
29 CHAMAKH, Marouane (84)
21 FABIANSKI, LUKASZ
11 SANTOS, ANDRE
20 DJOUROU, JOHAN
12 FRIMPONG, EMMANUEL
30 PARK, JU-YOUNG
23 ARSHAVIN, ANDREY
29 CHAMAKH, MAROUANE
23rd Nov 2011
2-1
Borussia Dortmund
Top Comments:
Martin Hayes says:
It's a shame they scored so late but Arsenal would probably have taken a draw at the start. The manager looked happy enough at the final whistle
rsatya on Twitter says:
Fair result. Perisic punished Arsenal's lack of determination by late equalising goal
Dan Roebuck says:
It's going to take time for the likes of Arteta and Benayoun to bed in with Champions League football
LevReynolds on Twitter says:
That was a goal and a half from that Dortmund guy though, They didn't deserve to lose so I'd take that. Song Man of the Match!