WTTGT Writer: Amoy Ghoshel
Wojciech Szczesny – 6.0 – The Pole custodian was once again well protected by his back-four as he didn’t have to do much other than a few routine saves. Will be really disappointed to lose the clean sheet with almost the last kick of the game.
Laurent Koscielny – 6.5 – Didn’t look in trouble at all defensively as his positioning was excellent and Koscielny also timed his challenges very well at right back. The Frenchman didn’t offer much going forward but his presence gave solidity to the backline.
Thomas Vermaelen – 7.5 – Another top class performance from the Belgian, who is quickly staking a claim to be regarded as the best central defender in Europe. Once again he was flawless defensively and even provided an assist as his flick-on from Arteta’s corner was finished by RVP for Arsenal’s second goal.
Per Mertesacker – 6.5 – A much improved display from the German as he made the right decisions at the back and complemented Vermaelen very well. Mertesacker had a point to prove as he was up against Budesliga opposition and the former Werder Bremen man didn’t do much wrong.
Andre Santos – 6.5 – The Brazilian produced a very sound defensive performance as he dealt with Gotze quite well in the early stages and never really got exposed at left back. Did make a couple of threatening forward runs and always looked tidy in possession.
Alexandre Song – 8.0 – Other than his involvement in Kagawa’s late consolation, Song had an outstanding match. The Cameroon international did his defensive midfield job with near perfection and the individual skills he produced while setting up Van Persie’s opener would impress any world class attacker. Song’s work ethic and overall display earns him the man of the match accolade for this game.
Mikel Arteta – 6.5 – The Spaniard along with Song ensured that Dortmund don’t have much joy in the Arsenal half, especially in the second period. Arteta once again showed enormous work rate and even played a key role in the second goal. The former Everton man can still improve his distribution but his experience in midfield has been instrumental in Arsenal’s revival.
Aaron Ramsey – 6.5 – Like the other two Arsenal central medios, Ramsey too put in a great shift in the middle of the park for the Gunners. He could have had an assist in each half as first Walcott and then Gervinho couldn’t finish their chances created by the through balls of the Welshman.
Theo Walcott – 6.0 – A relatively quiet night for Theo as very rarely got behind the Dortmund back four and didn’t even have a go at Schmelzer, even though the left back was booked early in the second period. However, the Englishman did work hard to help out his fullbacks to once again show his growing maturity.
Robin Van Persie – 8.0 – **WTTGT Man of the Match** Captain ‘Vantastic’ grabbed another match-winning brace to take his side to the knock-out stages as group winners. The Dutchman was at the right place and right time in both of his two goals as he once again showed some clinical finishing to continue his fantastic goal-scoring run in 2011.
Gervinho – 5.5 – Not a good performance from the Ivorian as he couldn’t really get into the game and also managed to waste a golden opportunity to make it 2-0 at the hour mark. Was rightly substituted later on.
Subs
Yossi Benayoun – 6.0 – The Israeli showed some neat touches after coming on and was a little unlucky to receive a yellow card.
Johan Djourou – 5.0 – Came on as late as the 83rd minute but still managed to be at fault for not clearing away the ball, which eventually lead to Kagawa’s goal.
Abou Diaby – N/A – The good reception he received after coming on for his first appearance of the season will be a welcome boost for the injury-prone Frenchman.
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