Arsenal earn draw in tough away fixture

Arsenal managed to earn a 1-1 draw in their opening Champions League group stage game against German champions Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park. Robin Van Persie gave the Gunners the lead but a late goal from Persic ensured both teams came away with a point in a tough group F encounter. In the group are also French side Marseille and Greek team Olympiacos. In the match, loan signing Yossi Benayoun was making his first start for the club whilst Andre Santos came off the bench to make his first appearance for Arsenal.

Van Persie celebrates his goal

The first chance of the game fell to Arsenal and Gervinho as the ball bounced off a defender and into the path of the Ivorian but Weidenfeller in the Dortmund goal kept the shot out.

Borussia Dortmund's first chance came moments later as they broke forward and then Grosskreutz manged to work a shot but he fired the ball miles over the bar. Their next chance fell to Kagawa as the ball was put down field but once again the ball was seen sailing over the cross bar.

The German side were dominating. They then had a brilliant chance to take the lead as young midfielder Mario Gotze found Lewandowski who rounded the keeper but then saw his shot cleared off the line by Sagna.

Arsenal finally managed to work a chance as Benayoun found Van Persie in space. He then drove forward and hit a shot which was just tipped wide by the Dortmund keeper.

3 minutes before the break Arsenal against the run of play took the lead. Van Persie winning the ball back in midfield before finding Walcott who then slipped a ball back through to the Gunner's skipper; Van Persie who smashed a right footed effort past the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.

The score at half time was 1-0 to Arsenal.

Dortmunds wonderkid - Mario Gotze

The first chance of the second half came to Gervinho of Arsenal as he got past one man before seeing his shot saved by Weidenfeller.

The first really good chance of the second half fell to the German side as Gotze's corner found Subotic who hit a shot which was somehow saved by Szczesny.

2 minutes from the end of time Borussia Dortmund equalised as Schmelzer's free kick was headed out by Gibbs but straight to Perisic who unleashed a looping volley which beat Szczesny and went into the back of the net.

The final score ended Borussia Dortmund 1-1 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

Borussia Dortmund: Weidenfeller, Subotic, Hummels, Piszczek, Schmelzer, Kehl(67), Gotze, Grosskreutz(68). Bender, Lewandowski, Kagawa(83).
Subs: Langerak, Santana, Da Silva, Blaszczykowski(67), Gundogan, Perisic(68), Zidan(83).

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Song, Arteta, Benayoun, Walcott(76), Gervinho(84), Van Persie(84).   
Subs: Fabianski, Djourou, Santos(84), Frimpong(76), Arshavin, Park, Chamakh(84).

My man of the match: Alex Song

Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Attendance: 75,000