Van Persie double sends Arsenal into knockout stages

Robin Van Persie scored twice as Arsenal beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 on Wednesday night in the Champions League. The win ensured knockout football for the Gunners for the 12th successive time as they ensured top spot in group F with a game left to play. Arsenal are the only English side to qualify for the knockout round so far and were also the only English side to win this week in Europe. The team that played was unchanged from the weekend's side that faced Norwich, as the skipper, Van Persie continued his brilliant form leading the line and Koscielny once again played at right back. Meanwhile Abou Diaby made his comeback from a lengthy spell on the sidelines as he played the last four minutes after coming on as a substitute.

Van Persie was the difference as Arsenal reached the knockout stages

The first chance of the match found its way to Arsenal. Song played Walcott in on goal but as he went to take the ball around Weidenfeller in the Dortmund goal, he managed to intercept the ball.

Dortmund's first chance fell to Lewandowski who drove a shot from outside the box just wide of Szczesny's goal.

The German side's next chance came to Schmelzer who also hit a shot from outside the box but his effort was straight at the Arsenal goalkeeper.

Arsenal then almost managed to take the lead as Walcott swung in a cross which almost found its way to Van Persie but Weidenfeller came out and stopped the ball from reaching the Arsenal captain.

The score at half time was 0-0.

The first chance of the second half came to Kagawa and Borussia Dortmund. The Japanese international got down the left hand side and then tried to beat Szczesny at his near post from a tight angle but his shot was tame and straight at Szczesny.

Arsenal were then ahead four minutes into the half. Alex Song did brilliantly in beating three players before crossing the ball onto the head of Van Persie to make it 1-0 to Arsenal.

Gervinho then had a great chance to make it 2-0 as the ball was poked through to him by Ramsey but as he tried to round the Dortmund keeper, Hummels came across and stopped Gervinho from what would have been a goal.

Arteta then tried a shot from outside the box from a freekick after Hummels had brought down Van Persie. Arteta struck the free kick but it hit the wall and went out for a corner.

Four minutes from the end Arsenal doubled their lead and Van Persie had his second of the night. Arteta swung in a corner which was flicked on by Vermaelen and into the path of Van Persie who tapped the ball in from close range.

However in the last minute Borussia Dortmund did managed to pull a goal back. Song gave the ball away to Perisic who then found Lowandowski. He then set the ball up for Kagawa who slotted the ball past Szczesny and into the back of the net.

The final score finished Arsenal 2-1 Borussia Dortmund. 

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Koscielny(83), Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Santos, Song, Arteta, Ramsey, Walcott(86), Gervinho(74), Van Persie.
Subs: Fabianski, Djourou(83), Frimpong, Benayoun(74), Arshavin, Diaby(86), Chamakh.

Borussia Dortmund: Weidenfeller, Hummels, Kruse, Schmelzer, Santana, Grosskreutz, Kehl(64), Kagawa, Gotze(29), Bender(25), Lewandowski.
Subs: Langerak, Blaszczykowski, Gundogan, Owomoyela, Perisic(29), Leitner(25), Barrios(64).

My man of the match: Alex Song

Referee: Frank De Bleeckere
Attendance: 59,531