Champions League: Ramsey’s Header gave Arsenal Victory Over High Flying Dortmund
Aaron Ramsey’s header gave Arsenal a battling victory over Borussia Dortmund to keep Arsene Wenger’s side top of Champions League Group F. The Gunners scored with their first effort at goal when Ramsey forced home Mesut Ozil’s cross after 62 minutes.
Ramsey almost made it 2-0 moments later and an increasingly desperate Dortmund side could not deny them a famous win.
Arsenal became the first English team to win at Dortmund’s imposing Westfalenstadion home with their 14th win in 15 unbeaten away games.
Ramsey’s goal secured the points, but the win came on the back of a measured performance that saw Arsenal keep Dortmund at arm’s length for long periods and score with a classic counter-attack.
The Gunners concentrated on keeping possession in the first half but had just one corner to show for it. At the other end, Dortmund were producing some typically inventive approach play but struggled to find a way through the visitors’ defence, and were unable to find a finish when they did.
The home side’s best chance before the break fell to Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who was teed up by Blaszczykowski but fired wide after trying to pick his spot from the edge of the area.
But, just as the Dortmund pressure was building, Arsenal struck with their first meaningful attack.
Aaron Ramsey’s goal against Dortmund was his 11th goal for Arsenal this season in all competitions, equalling his tally in his first six seasons combined for the Gunners.
Napoli are now second in the Group after beating Marseilles 3-2 in Italy.
In other matches played tonight, Spanish Champions Barcelona beat AC Milan 3-1 with a brace from Lionel Messi,ending his 4-match goal drought. Ajax won Celtic FC 1-0. Chelsea FC defeated Schalke 3-0 while Basel scored a late goal to draw 1-1 with Steaua Bucharest.
Athletico Madrid have qualified for the knock-out stage after defeating FK Austria Wien 4-0 while Zenit St Petersburg were held to a 1-1 draw at home by FC Porto.
Group E
Chelsea Pld:4 W:3 Pts:9
FC Schalke 04 Pld:4 W:2 Pts:6
Basel Pld:4 W:1 Pts:5
Steaua Bucharest Pld:4 W:0 Pts:2
Group F
Arsenal Pld:4 W:3 Pts:9
Napoli Pld:4 W:3 Pts:9
Borussia Dortmund Pld:4 W:2 Pts:6
Marseille Pld:4 W:0 Pts:0
Group G
Atltico de Madrid Pld:4 W:4 Pts:12
Zenit St Petersburg Pld:4 W:1 Pts:5
FC Porto Pld:4 W:1 Pts:4
FK Austria Wien Pld:4 W:0 Pts:1
Group H
Barcelona Pld:4 W:3 Pts:10
Milan Pld:4 W:1 Pts:5
Ajax Pld:4 W:1 Pts:4
Celtic Pld:4 W:1 Pts:3