Arsenal travelled to Germany in high spirits, coming into the game on the back of a 14-game unbeaten run, stretching back to April, and having not lost an opening Champions League group fixture since 2003. As they sported their new blue striped European away kit, both of these records came to their inevitable end at the hands of an impressive Dortmund side.

Despite continuing to miss the likes of Marco Reus and İlkay Gündoğan, Dortmund came flying out of the blocks and could've had a two-goal lead inside the opening five minutes. Arsenal kicked off the game but were immediately pegged into their own half, conceding two early corners. 

There was huge controversy no less than five minutes into the game, when Henrikh Mkhitaryan was felled under the challenge of Mikel Arteta, though the Portuguese referee Manuel Bartolo Benquerenca saw the challenge as fair by the Arsenal captain, instead awarding a yellow card to Mkhitaryan for simulation.

The fiery start from Die Schwarzgelben calmed down as the first half wore on, but there was still zero threat from the Gunners. The home side continued to create all of the chances, but around 20 minutes in, Arsenal finally had their first chance. Alexis Sánchez was spotted making a run and chipped the goalkeeper, scoring on the second attempt, only to be adjudged offside. The decision was correct, unlike the similar incident minutes earlier.

Dortmund didn't let that faze them, and came straight back with their biggest chance of the game so far. Aubameyang, who was causing trouble all night, was only prevented by a point-blank save from Wojciech Szczesny. Aubameyang was at it again minutes later, forcing Szczesny into making another fantastic save. Marcel Schmelzer tried to test the 'keeper from the resulting corner, but nothing came to fruition.

Danny Welbeck started his first Champions League game for the Gunners, and had all four of their registered shots on goal, spurning every opportunity. The first was from a bursting Kieran Gibbs run, who was making his return from injury. The Arsenal and England left-back sent a low cross into the box, only for Welbeck to mis-hit the ball, sending it straight into Weidenfeller's arms. He then dragged a shot wide when one-on-one with the goalkeeper, the best chance of the game.

Their lack of attacking prowess cost them, as, with the last kick of the half, Ciro Immobile ran a full 70 yards with the ball, slotting the ball past Szczesny for his first Dortmund goal since joining for €19.4million. No Arsenal defenders were close to stopping the Italian striker from scoring, a problem that has become all too common this season.

Half-time: Borussia Dortmund 1-0 Arsenal

The second half started as brightly as the first for the home side, and it took them just three minutes to double their advantage. Aubameyang finally made his goal threats count for something, as his first touch took the ball around Wojciech Szczesny, and Laurent Koscielny couldn't prevent a goal on the line. 

Several players were close to scoring that couldn't get on the scoresheet, one of whom was Henrikh Mkhitaryan. By the 50th minute, the Armenian attacker could've had at least a hat-trick, but spurned every opportunity. Whether it was forcing a save from the goalkeeper, or blazing shots far and wide of the target, it was not the night for the former Shakhtar man.

Players were hauled off for the Gunners in a last-ditch attempt to salvage something from the game, though none of the three players brought on had any impact on the game whatsoever. In fact, it was Dortmund who continued to apply the pressure, and could easily have turned this game into a cricket score, had they been more clinical.

Wojciech Szczesny became very nervy on the ball and was helpless when Aubameyang closed him down, almost scoring his second and Dortmund's third, but was unable to score. The final chance for the pacey Gabonese international came just after the hour mark, when he struck the bar from just inside the area.

The chances died down immensely from those attempts, with Mkhitaryan again wasting all of the opportunities. Arsenal became more aggressive, but were generally hopeless throughout the entire game. The likes of Mesut Özil and Danny Welbeck were yet to silence their critics, and, in his 161st Champions League match, Wenger was not able to win the hearts of Arsenal fans just yet. Another season of maybes and what-ifs looks likely early on for the Gunners, but it is a fantastic start to the Champions League for 2012-13 finalists Borussia Dortmund.

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