Borussia Dortmund vs. Arsenal Player Ratings; German Giants Take Win Over Work-In-Progress Arsenal

In a match which highlighted both Arsenal’s squad deficiencies and Borussia Dortmund’s pure quality in all positions, the German giants took the spoils in a convincing 2-0 victory with opportunities for even more goals having not been converted.

Borussia Dortmund

Roman Weidenfeller – 6
Had very little to do on the evening, looked comfortable in claiming crosses and distributed the ball with ease. He was well protected by his defence throughout which further served to decrease his workload for the night.

Erik Durm – 6
The 22-year-old looked assured in possession and for the majority of the first-half marked Alexis Sanchez out of the game, forcing the Chilean to switch wings. Did his best to support attacking play but very little came down his flank.

Sokratis Papastathopoulos – 8
Looked every inch the top class defender which the Greek international is now known to be. After focusing a lot of their late transfer efforts on Sokratis, Arsenal were shown first hand his qualities as he helped keep Welbeck at arm’s length for the entire game.

Neven Subotic – 7
Subotic is still finding his way back to full fitness following a long injury lay-off but the Serbian enjoyed a comfortable evening. Subotic defended well when required and even bombed forward on occasion.

Marcel Schmelzer – 6
The German full-back had next to nothing to do during the first-half given Mesut Ozil’s anonymous display. Looked to get forward and support attacks but added little.

Sven Bender – 7
Arsenal’s lack of holding midfielder was highlighted again whilst Bender enjoyed an excellent evening. The German held the Dortmund midfield together well and ensured the host’s defence was tested on few occasions.

Sebastian Kehl – 6
The veteran midfielder did his job well, nothing flashy but was an extra line of defence. Was taken off at half-time.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan – 8
The Armenian international can on occasion cut a frustrated figure but he was on top form tonight. The attacking midfielder was centric to everything Dortmund did well going forward and could have had a hat-trick of his own had his finishing been more composed. Only blot on his copybook was a first-half dive which earned him a caution.

Kevin Grosskreutz – 6
An easy night for the winger, didn’t contribute too much and was a utility man throughout.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 10 (Man of the Match)
The Gabon international was fantastic all evening long. After being heavily criticised at times last season, the forward has started this season wonderfully well. Using his pace to full effect he fully deserved his second-half goal.

Ciro Immobile – 9
Rather inexplicably there have been doubts over Immobile’s quality as Robert Lewandowski’s replacement but the Italian showed exactly why Dortmund signed him this summer. Was a threat across the line all night long and scored a wonderful individual effort breaking from inside his own half to give Dortmund the lead.

Substitutes:
Matthias Ginter – 6
Looked tidy when introduced, had little to do defensively.

Milos Jojic – 6
The attacking midfielder entered the game as it neared its end, had little to do going forward and coasted to the final whistle.

Adrian Ramos – 6
The Colombian forward, like Jojic was introduced late on, threatened to cause problems with his pace on a couple of occasions but contributed little else.

Arsenal

Wojciech Szczesny – 7
If anything showed how poorly Arsenal played it is the fact Szczesny was their best player in a 2-0 defeat. The Polish keeper made three wonderful saves in the first-half, including one from close range from Aubameyang. Was at times too casual with the ball at his feet.

Hector Bellerin – 5
The 19-year-old full-back was given a baptism of fire on his Champions League debut with many of Dortmund’s attacks coming down the left flank. Didn’t make any glaring mistakes but had a tough night all round. Wasn’t guided through the game by more experienced players.

Per Mertesacker – 5
Positionally poor for much of the night, never looked fully focused and his display put a lot of pressure on partner Koscielny.

Laurent Koscielny – 6
Made some important defensive interceptions but was often left on his own with Dortmund breaking forward.

Kieran Gibbs – 6
Gibbs looked dangerous when going forward but had little to do defensively.

Mikel Arteta- 4
Arteta characterised Arsenal’s struggles. The Spaniard looked unsuited to the holding midfield position when facing such physical opposition. Was guilty of giving away possession and cheap free-kicks consistently.

Jack Wilshere- 6
Once again was given too much to do without a natural holding midfielder behind him. Attempted to drive Arsenal forward but with little reward.

Aaron Ramsey – 5
The Welshman looked fatigued, as he did near the latter stages of Saturday’s draw with Manchester City. The game passed him by and highlighted Arsenal’s need for reinforcements in the deeper midfield role.

Alexis Sanchez – 6
Tried to make something happen when on the ball but was given little aid. Did his best to track back and help but Dortmund’s attacks often passed him by.

Mesut Ozil – 4
It isn’t nice to see a player with the qualities Mesut Ozil has be made a scapegoat but the German was once again found wanting in an important match. Still doesn’t look fully fit and was anonymous throughout. Evening was summed up by a frustrated challenge on Schmelzer which earned him a yellow card.

Danny Welbeck – 5
The new signing had the majority of Arsenal’s chances but lacked composure in front of goal. Missed a glaring opportunity just before Immobile’s goal which could have steered the tie in a different direction.

Substitutes:
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 6
Looked energetic when brought into the game but result was already decided.

Santi Cazorla – 5
The Spaniard offered little when brought on and lost possession a couple of times handing Dortmund more opportunities.

Lukas Podolski – 6
Had very few touches of the ball, had one opportunity when the ball reached him in behind but an unlucky ricochet saw the ball go out of play before he could shoot on goal.