Arsenal Win Again! (1-0 at Dortmund)

Two weeks after a disappointing 2-1 loss to Dortmund at the Emirates, Arsenal pulled off something no team in Europe ever has in the Champions League – winning at the 80,000 fans’ strong Westfalenstadion. And they did it after suffering through a first half and beginning of second half in which they were largely dominated – though not broken. And that appears to be the new spirit of this Arsenal squad, finding ways to win even when they are outplayed. After the 62^nd minute goal from the unstoppable Aaron Ramsey (his 13^th in all competitions this young season, including the two he has scored for Wales), Arsenal grew in stature and held out against a late Dortmund charge.

Things didn’t start so brightly though, with Dortmund missing a number of opportunities to score in the first 45. Neven Subotic steered just wide of the post and Henrikh Mkhitaryan -- the scorer of the opening goal at the Emirates – was just off target when allowed a run on Wojciech Szczesny’s goal. The second half started much as the middle of the first went, with several chances missed and two goals rightfully adjudged offsides by the Danish ref; who otherwise had a series of questionable decisions that all went the home side’s way. But with Dortmund seemingly on the edge of scoring, Arsenal turned the screw just after the 60^th minute, as Rosicky stole the ball, pushed it forward to Cazorla, who sent it out to Ozil. The German international look his time, squared the ball and sent a perfect chip from the edge of the box to Giroud, who headed it right into the charging Ramsey’s path. Ramsey finished with a header past the goalie and Arsenal were suddenly, and surprisingly, up 1-0. And though the Gunners spurned a few more chances, they kept the pressure on Dortmund up throughout and held on for the win.

It was the sort of victory a season can be built around, and this one was much more important than the inspiration for the late run last season, with the 2-0 win over Bayern on the road meaningless in the end. Now Arsenal lead the group and a win at home against Marseille in a couple of weeks should all but guarantee passage. However, goal differential could come into effect and it will be important to keep another clean sheet against Marseille and score at least a goal or two. Why? Because it could be that Borussia, Napoli and Arsenal could all finish on 12 points, with tie breakers the difference between advancing to the knock out stage or waiting for next year (if Dortmund beat Napoli and Marseille and Napoli beats us in the Day 6 matchup at Napoli. Though if Napoli wins or draws, we would be through with a win). In any case, Arsenal held strong with their rejuvenated back four – scoring the second successive clean sheet (something they have done against Tottenham and Liverpool in their two biggest games so far this season in the EPL) – won with only four shots on goal (all coming from the Ramsey goal onward), held tough against a team that was undefeated at home this season and scores in bunches and essentially turned around a European campaign that seemed in trouble a fortnight ago. The next test comes Sunday, on the road at United, but even a loss might not undermine the impressive start to the season that sees Arsenal charging toward a first trophy in eight years. COYG!

P.S. Not to kill a dead horse, but it was yet another impressive performance without Wilshere, who may well have to be kept out of our biggest games if we want to end that drought this season.