Borussia Dortmund 1-1 Arsenal: Perisic stunner denies Gunners

03:25 04/12/2013
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  • Ivan Perisic provided a spectacular late strike as Borussia Dortmund dashed Arsenal’s dream of an opening Champions League group victory.

    The Croatian came off the bench to send a stunning 25-yard volley past Wojciech Szczesny with just two minutes left. It was a timely – and memorable – first Dortmund goal for Perisic, whose side had been trailing to Robin van Persie’s 42nd minute effort.

    But a point was deserved, especially given the display from their playmaker Mario Gotze. Arsene Wenger is believed to have had a £35million (Dh210m) offer rejected for the 19-year-old in the summer.

    As he dictated Dortmund’s attacks with intelligent and inventive play, it was easy to see why he had been earmarked as a possible successor to Cesc Fabregas. The similarities were obvious; a confidence and cleverness that belied his teenage years. And he was at the heart of everything good about the Germans.

    One such marvellous moment almost produced the opener in the 13th minute. Gotze drove forward from near halfway and then lofted a pass through for Robert Lewandowski. The Polish striker rounded his compatriot Szczesny, but Bacary Sagna was back to block the shot on the line.

    It was the second scare for the Gunners within two minutes after Mats Hummels sent Kagawa clear with a stunning 60-yard pass. The Japanese frontman could not provide the same quality with his finish as it flew over.

    Lewandowski also headed straight at Szczesny as Arsenal’s defence – even with Per Mertesacker making his return to Germany – still looked worryingly fragile. But Wenger had decided attack was the best form of defence, with his dangerously daring line up featuring Mikel Arteta and Yossi Benayoun in midfield and Gervinho, Walcott and van Persie up front.

    The attacking options were endless, but the only problem was they saw too little of the ball. Hummels made a decisive last-ditch challenge on Gervinho just as he shaped to shoot while van Persie forced Roman Weidenfeller to save from a promising position.

    His goal – a 15th in 16 away games – came very much against the run of play, yet it was carved through the desire of the Dutchman. He seized onto a sloppy pass from Sebastian Kehl, stretching to find Walcott and then raced in behind the Dortmund defence to claim the return before coolly driving past Weidenfeller.

    It was very much a case of smash-and-grab and despite more pressure from the hosts after the break, Arsenal had a resistance that was missing on their last away outing – that unforgettable 8-2 drubbing at Manchester United. 

    It frustrated the German champions and their home fans. Marcel Schmelzer sliced wide after another pass from Gotze while Kagawa volleyed over from 25 yards.

    And Arsenal came close to a second on the hour. A searching pass from Sagna fell perfectly into the path of Gervinho and the Ivorian bundled his way through challenges from Neven Subotic and Hummels, but Weidenfeller was quickly out to smother the shot. 

    A goal then and it would have been comfortable for Arsenal. But it was an anxious ending and Wenger, serving the first of a two-match UEFA suspension in the stands, was helpless as Dortmund launched a determined late rally.

    Gotze drilled in a corner that found its way to Subotic, but his shot was straight at Szczesny. The Arsenal keeper could do little about the Perisic volley, but bravely denied Lewandowski at the death.

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