Borussia Dortmund vs. Arsenal: Mesut Ozil and the Most Likely Match-Winners

Arsenal's Champions League campaign threatens to be defined by the results they record against Borussia Dortmund.

Having lost to Jurgen Klopp's team at home, the Gunners must not lose again when they travel to Germany in the fourth round of matches.

As we gear up for one of the season's most enticing clashes, let's take a look at the most likely match-winners from each side.

Borussia Dortmund

Name	Starts This Season (sub apps)	Goals	Assists
Robert Lewandowski	13 (1)	12	4
Marco Reus	13 (1)	7	5

Robert Lewandowski

A name that will have haunted Arsenal fans since he snatched an 82nd-minute winner in Dortmund’s 2-1 victory at the Emirates, Robert Lewandowski persists on slotting home the goals for Klopp’s side.

The much-wanted Polish forward is currently the Bundesliga’s top scorer, per ESPN FC, and his lethal streak in the Champions League has proved to be astute enough for Lewandowski to average one goal each game, per WhoScored.com.

His movement, positioning and turn of speed caused Arsenal great problems in the first fixture. The Pole continued to hassle and pressure, biding his time as Dortmund’s midfield struggled to calm the passing rhythm of the Gunners’ centre.

Lewandowski managed just one shot at Wojciech Szczesny’s goal, an attempt that snuck into his countryman’s net. Arsene Wenger must employ a suffocating game plan to halt Lewandowski’s progress, but as the Frenchman will know, that only invites attacking problems from elsewhere.

Marco Reus

If Arsenal can take positives from the home result against Dortmund, it’s that Marco Reus failed to influence the game in large chunks.

Rarely did we witness the lightning changes in pace that have seen Reus rack up seven goals over the course of this campaign. As noted by WhoScored.com, he failed to complete a successful dribble, hit the target from one of three shots and had a poor pass completion rate of 77 percent.

Even so, Klopp will let Reus off the leash at the Westfalenstadion.

Reus played brilliantly during Dortmund’s recent 6-1 hammering of Stuttgart, a match that saw him score and assist alongside Lewandowski’s hat-trick.

Reus’ darting runs and agility must be exercised if he is to influence the game. He is likely to remain further up the pitch in the home fixture and will look to take on Bacary Sagna whenever he can. Should he bypass the Frenchman, Arsenal will become incredibly stretched.

Arsenal

Name	Appearances This Season	Goals	Assists
Mesut Ozil	10	3	5
Aaron Ramsey	12 (1)	7	5

Mesut Ozil

It’s fair to say Mesut Ozil posted his worst Arsenal performance in the 2-0 win over Liverpool. Even so, the German has more than enough ability to punish Dortmund on their own turf.

Arsenal will rely on Ozil’s passing in a match that is likely to see the Gunners without the ball for long periods of time.

The former Real Madrid midfielder must play intelligently, drop into pockets of space and continuously move away from the likes of Sven Bender and Nuri Sahin in defensive midfield. He didn’t do this enough last time round, ensuring Arsenal’s possession was often rushed and frustrated.

Ozil may be forced to drop onto the halfway line and will need to track back. Should the 25-year-old be afforded room to express himself, he has the vision and goalscoring know-how to take any opportunity he is given.

Aaron Ramsey

Here’s a stat to impress: Aaron Ramsey has racked up the same amount of goals and assists as Reus this season, having played one game less.

Only the most optimistic Gunners fanatic would have guessed as much at the start of the season, but Ramsey’s form makes all the difference for Wenger’s team.

The Welshman’s energy, determination and willingness to commit all over the pitch is extremely impressive.

His stunning goal against Liverpool was a product of hard work, but against Dortmund, he’ll need to be even sharper.

Ramsey is now a danger man, someone who cannot be given time on the ball. Alongside Ozil, he is the type of player that can offer Arsenal both respite and a quick switch through the gears.

A goal at the Signal Iduna Park would be his most impressive yet; these days the Welshman getting his name on the scoresheet shouldn’t be discounted as unlikely.

Follow @Nakerman