Borussia Dortmund v Arsenal: Mikel Arteta says the Dortmund match is 'huge' but Arsenal are confident after Liverpool victory

Gunners travel to Germany on Wednesday in buoyant mood

James Orr
Monday 04 November 2013 12:28 GMT
Comments
Mikel Arteta celebrates Arsenal's 2-0 win over Liverpool on Saturday
Mikel Arteta celebrates Arsenal's 2-0 win over Liverpool on Saturday (GETTY IMAGES)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal vice-captain, has described the crucial Champions League Group F match away to Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday as a ‘huge’ test, but says confidence is sky high at the Emirates at the moment with the Gunners five points clear at the top of the Premier League after defeating Liverpool on Saturday.

Arteta played a starring role in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over the Reds, but admits that it will be a very different match out in Germany, against the team whom they lost 2-1 to at home a fortnight ago. Alongside Napoli, all three teams are now on six points, and victory take the pressure off Arsene Wenger’s side needing a win in Napoli in the final matchround on December 11.

After the Dortmund match, Arsenal’s vital week continues with a trip to Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday.

"The Dortmund game is huge," said Arteta. "We knew this week was going to be tough and this is a good way to start it.

"Dortmund will be a very different game to Liverpool, with the way they play, so we will have to get ready for it.

"I didn't think Dortmund were the better team when they won at the Emirates last time. We conceded a goal when we were on top in the game, and were likely to score a second to kill the game.

"But we know in the Champions League against those teams you are limited to small chances, and it was our fault we lost, but I think we showed we are the same level as Dortmund.

"We don't want to go to Napoli needing a win. But when you look at the fixtures at the start of the group, it would have been strange if by the last game you are already qualified given the quality of the teams, so we might need to get something there, too."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in