It was a cool Tuesday evening in Dortmund, Germany as Borussia Dortmund took on Arsenal in the first match of Group D of the 2014-15 UEFA Champions League.

A lively first half, it was all Dortmund in the early stages with the high press from Dortmund earning them a corner in the 1st minute of play when  Mkhitaryan's shot hit Gibbs, but Mertesacker rose above to head it away followed by a series of blocks and cleared shots from the Arsenal defense. Dortmund would continue in the 4th minute when Kehl found Immobile with a through pass into the box, but Immobile's pass to Mkhitaryan was cut out by Koscielny.

Arsenal would have their first foray into Dortmund's half in the 7th minute as they broke Dortmund's pressure ever so shortly when Sanchez found Welbeck on the left side of the box, but he was crowded well and it went out for a goal kick.

Dortmund continued the assault in the 10th minute when Grosskreutz surged into the box on a lone run, but Mertesacker's tackle would earn Dortmund a corner that would come to nothing. Just minutes later, in the 13th minute, Kehl’s lifted ball reached Grosskreutz again in the box, but his cross came off an Arsenal defender for a corner. The corner would find Sokratis who couldn't direct his shot toward goal.

A Dortmund costless kick in the 16th minute would force the first of several saves from Arsenal keeper Szczesny as the costless kick taken by Schmelzer, punched out.

Arsenal would again have a short break from the barrage as they broke with pace in the 18th minute, but Welbeck's pass could not reach Sanchez in the box, their best opportunity of the half at that point.  However, it was Dortmund who would come close to opening the scoring in the 24th minute when Arteta fouled Mkhitaryan studs up, the costless kick was taken by Schmelzer and eventually found the head of Aubameyang who headed it just wide. Sooner after, in the 27th minute the Arsenal keeper would again come to the rescue following an excellent series of passes between Grosskreutz and Kehl that resulted in a shot from Aubameyang, but it was smothered excellently by the keeper.

Dortmund would yet again come embarrassingly close to opening the scoring in the 28th minute, when Immobile got on the end of an excellent long pass and took a shot from the left, saved by the Arsenal keeper but Mkhitaryan could not keep his shot down as he put the rebound over the goal despite being 1 on 1 with the goalkeeper. 

Dortmund were left almost ruing their luck in the 40th minute when Arsenal’s best opportunity came as Ramsey's clever ball in between central defenders reached Welbeck in the box, but again Welbeck shot wide. 

Dortmund would get their just desserts on the stroke of half time when Immobile scored following a brilliant run in which he sprinted from midfield only to beat two Arsenal defenders and power the shot past Szczęsny.

Ginter would come on for Kehl at half time as Dortmund would get off to a flying start in the second half when in the 48th minute Grosskreutz returned Aubameyang's pass as he lifted the ball over Koscielny to find the on rushing Aubameyang as he ran straight through the center of Arsenal’s defense, brought down the ball, then rounded the keeper, and scored to double Dortmund's lead.

Dortmund would almost add a third in the 50th minute as Mkhitaryan's pass found Immobile who curled a shot, barely saved by the fingertips of Szczęsny. Dortmund had yet another good opportunity when Sokratis drilled a shot from the edge of the box in the 56th minute but it was caught well by Szczęsny yet again. 

Less than a minute later in the 57th minute, Aubameyang hit the cross bar following a fast break, as Arsenal were almost punished again for failing to track back in time. 

Like clockwork, Arsenal had a short spell of possession with which to rest from the Dortmund offensive with what could be referred to as positive possession from Arsenal in the 61st minute as Wilshere got forward but was swarmed quickly and pushed off the ball.  They would earn a corner in the 62nd minute, but it was cleared by Immobile and was of no threat to Dortmund.

Dortmund would continue in the 67th minute when Grosskreutz tried to curl one but he couldn't get it on target and almost added the elusive third goal casual dribbling from Szczesny was almost capitalized on by Aubameyang. 

Arsenal would get their final opportunity of the match in the 77th minute when Welbeck was found in the Dortmund box as turned across his defender and skied the shot high.

Neither side mustered any serious chances in the final 15 minutes as Dortmund snapped Arsenal's away winning streak in Germany.

Bar short spells from Arsenal which resulted in several offside calls, Arsenal were forced to defend most of the game. Dortmund pressed well and their wingers caused Arsenal all sorts of problems but managed to put just two past Arsenal despite a cornucopia of chances, meanwhile Arsenal simply could not get things going offensively and would have been punished with several more goals if not for some very poor finishing from Dortmund.  

Arsenal would manage more possession in the second half but couldn't manage a shot on target as they fell to Dortmund on the night. Arsenal have behind them arguably the toughest game of the group stage, but they're going to have to play much better if they're looking to advance. For Dortmund, they looked excellent and will hope to continue their good form from today throughout the tournament, though they could use some improvement on their finishing. 

Next up for Borussia Dortmund, a German league match against Mainz on September 20, while Arsenal take on Aston Villa in the Barclays Premier League also on September 20. 

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