Borussia Dortmund vs. Arsenal Score, Grades and Post-Match Reaction

Arsenal picked up a stunning 1-0 win at Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday night, making up for the reversal in the previous game and sending themselves top of the group in the process.

"

1 - Arsenal are the first English club to win away at Dortmund since Manchester United in the Fairs Cup in November 1964. Rare.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 6, 2013"

The opening half of the match was an interesting, yet largely uneventful occurrence with both teams sizing each other up and looking to create chances by way of maintaining possession and patient build-up, rather than committing too many numbers forward.

Perhaps betraying the fact this group is extremely tight, there were few real chances in the first 45 minutes.

The first chance fell to Neven Subotic after Aaron Ramsey headed a cross back into his own penalty area, but Subotic's volley just missed the far post.

It was Henrikh Mkhitaryan, though, who really should have given Dortmund the lead—but his side-footed effort flew past the far post instead of bulging the net.

The home side started much better after the break, with Reus and Mkhitaryan going close, before they had the ball in the net on 51 minutes—only for the offside flag to deny them.

The trick was repeated on the hour mark when another offside flag denied the home side a goal—and then the first goal which stood arrived a moment later.

Incredibly, it came at the other end where Ramsey headed home from close range after good work from Tomas Rosicky and Olivier Giroud.

Less than two minutes later, Marco Reus had the chance to level matters but missed the ball from two yards out, then Ramsey was denied a second goal at the other end after a good save.

Suddenly the game was being played at a higher tempo and was much more open, making for far better viewing—but although a few more chances fell Dortmund's way, they couldn't make them count and Arsenal held on for a big, big victory.

Key Player Grades

Henrikh Mkhitaryan, B

For a long time, the Armenian was Dortmund's best attacker, worrying Arsenal's defence with his movement and willingness to attack the central areas of the penalty box. It didn't quite happen for him in terms of the final ball or shot, though.

Aaron Ramsey: B

A real workmanlike performance from Ramsey for long spells as he had to harry, chase, press and challenge throughout much of the game—but he showed his quality and opportunism to take Arsenal's first chance of the game and make it count. Good use of the ball, if not in overly advanced positions, and ultimately the match winner.

Robert Lewandowski: C+

Good work-rate and movement, but Lewandowski didn't receive terrific service to get shots away during the match and missed his two half-chances late in the game. Held the ball up well in the first half but faded out of things when his team needed a goal.

Position	Player	Grade
Subs
GK	Weidenfeller	C+
DF	Grosskreutz	C
DF	Subotic	B
DF	Sokratis	C+
DF	Schmelzer	B
MD	Bender	B
MD	Sahin	B+
MD	Blaszczykowski	C+
MD	Mkhitaryan	B
MD	Reus	C+
FW	Lewandowski	C+
MD	Aubameyang	C
MD	Hofmann	C
MD	Schieber	C

Position	Player	Grades
Subs
GK	Szczesny	B
DF	Sagna	C+
DF	Koscielny	B+
DF	Mertesacker	B+
DF	Gibbs	C
MD	Arteta	D+
MD	Ramsey	B
MD	Cazorla	C
MD	Rosicky	C+
MD	Ozil	D+
FW	Giroud	C
MD	Monreal	C
FW	Bendtner	C
DF	Vermaelen	C

What's Next?

With just two matches left to play, Arsenal are joint top of the group with nine points, level with Napoli. Dortmund have six, so it's still very much an open group, but this was a huge three points for the Gunners.

Follow @karlmatchett