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22nd Nov 2011 | Football

Arsenal v Borussia Dortmund

Gervinho has made an indifferent start to his Arsenal career.

Two teams in top form. The bookies always assume that Arsenal will win games like this, but the Germans shouldn't be underestimated.

In England we can have a pretty insular view of football. It’s far too easy to think, ‘Arsenal are back on form, so they’re bound to beat whoever’s coming up in the Champions League.’ The Gunners are legitimately 6/5 (VictorChandler) favourites for Wednesday’s meeting with Borussia Dortmund, but I think the draw is the best value bet at 13/5 with Betfred.

Putting to one side Arsenal’s wonderful home record in this competition, it’s important to realise just how decent this German side is. They are reigning champions of the Bundesliga, and on Saturday night they travelled to the Allianz Arena and beat a Bayern Munich side widely touted as the best team in Europe - outside of Spain’s big two. That put Dortmund back within two points of Bayern at the summit of the table.

Much like Arsenal, Jurgen Klopp’s side endured a troublesome start to the season, but fortunes have changed for the better at both clubs. Dortmund are on a seven game unbeaten run in the league that has included away wins at Werder Bremen, and of course Munich, plus 4-0, 5-0 and 5-1 home wins.

In Mario Gotze, Wednesday’s visitors to the Emirates have a precocious talent on their hands; the 19-year-old attacking midfielder scored the winner at the Allianz Arena and twice more in the hammering of Wolfsburg just before that. Polish striker Robert Lewandowski will provide a further threat with 12 goals in 19 appearances already this season.

I don’t think Arsenal will lose, especially with Robin Van Persie confirmed as a starter for this match, but a draw looks highly likely at 13/5 (Betfred).

Odds correct at time of publishing: 14:27 22nd Nov, 2011 but subject to change

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