Arsenal News: Yossi Benayoun and Mikel Arteta Must Step Up Against Dortmund

The black hole in Arsenal's midfield has consumed yet another unfortunate soul ahead of Tuesday's UEFA Champions League opener at Borussia Dortmund, pushing new boys Yossi Benayoun and Mikel Arteta firmly into the firing line.

Aaron Ramsey is just the latest victim of the Gunners' hard luck this season. The 20-year-old Welshman will remain in North London to nurse an ankle injury he suffered in training on Monday.

Ramsey is just the latest casualty to befall Arsene Wenger's side in the midfield. Fellow starlet Jack Wilshere has yet see the pitch and is expected to sit out another two-to-three months to nurse an ankle injury that has plagued him since the end of last season. Tomas Rosicky and Abou Diaby won't be with the club, either, as they continue to recover from their respective knee and ankle injuries.

That still leaves out Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, who left the Emirates last month on transfers to Barcelona and Manchester City, respectively.

With so many players out, Wenger has little choice but to insert Benayoun and Arteta into his starting XI against the Borussians.

Both players made their Arsenal debuts against Swansea City on Saturday after arriving in North London just ahead of the summer transfer deadline. Arteta started at forward for the Gunners alongside Robin van Persie against the Swans and seemed right at home with his new club, moving the ball beautifully to help invigorate a previously dormant Arsenal attack. Benayoun, the Israeli captain, subbed in for Andrey Arshavin in the 63rd minute.

Clearly, neither player has had much time to get accustomed to his new role, nor have their teammates yet taken to them. Luckily for Wenger, though, both players have extensive experience in European play—Arteta with Paris St. Germain and Everton, Benayoun with Maccabi Haifa, Liverpool and Chelsea. Thus, neither player figures to be intimidated by the hostile environment at Signal Iduna Park, much less the prospect of playing on the international stage with a top-flight club.

That being said, it would be foolish to expect too much of Arteta and Benayoun in just their second match in Arsenal shirts. Then again, Wenger's expectations must be high. He must anticipate that his new boys will be successful in the midfield against Dortmund.

Otherwise, the Gunners may be doomed to a poor start to their Champions League campaign.

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