The highlight of Tuesday's opening Champions League group stage matchday is undoubtedly Borussia Dortmund's clash with Arsenal at Signal Iduna Park. These sides are two of the strongest in the tournament, and while neither is likely to seriously challenge for the crown, they'll both fancy their chances of progressing a couple of rounds into the knockout stages.
Borussia Dortmund vs. Arsenal, 2014 UEFA Champions League: Team news and game preview
Borussia Dortmund host Arsenal as the Champions League group stages get underway on Tuesday.
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However, they've both had stuttering starts to their respective domestic campaigns. Borussia Dortmund were stunned by Bayer Leverkusen in their first Bundesliga game of the season, and they've conceded three goals in two subsequent wins over Augsburg and Freiburg. Arsenal, meanwhile, have only won once in their opening four Premier League games, having followed up their narrow opening day win over Crystal Palace with three draws.
Key player - Alexis Sánchez (Arsenal)
The best player on the pitch in this match will probably be Arsenal attacker Alexis Sánchez, who has made a fantastic start to life in the Premier League. First deployed as a centre-forward, the arrival of Danny Welbeck has now allowed him to play in a more natural position behind the striker, where his pace and trickery can make him a nightmare for opposition defences. Good luck keeping him quiet, BVB.
Key matchup - Henrikh Mkhitaryan vs. Mathieu Flamini
However, Dortmund have a handful of attacking midfield stars of their own. The most influential is probably Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who has adapted to Jürgen Klopp's quick passing style wonderfully since moving from Shakhtar Donetsk last year. He's the man who knits everything together up top for the Germans, and Arsenal's deepest midfielder -- probably Mathieu Flamini -- will do well to keep him from influencing the game.
Borussia Dortmund injuries and suspensions
Out: Mats Hummels, Nuri Şahin (knee), İlkay Gündoğan (back), Jakub Błaszczykowski (muscle tear), Oliver Kirch (thigh), Ji Dong-won (hamstring). In doubt: Marco Reus (ankle).
Arsenal injuries and suspensions
Out: Theo Walcott, Serge Gnabry (knee), Olivier Giroud (foot), Nacho Monreal (knock). In doubt: Calum Chambers (illness)
Borussia Dortmund are going through something of an injury crisis at present, with several key first-teamers unavailable. However, Marco Reus could be involved, with the ankle injury he sustained during the international break apparently not serious. Theo Walcott, Serge Gnabry and Olivier Giroud are all still sidelined for Arsenal, while Nacho Monreal did not travel and Calum Chambers is battling tonsillitis.
Match Date/Time: Tuesday, 8:45 p.m. local, 2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany
TV: Fox Sports 1 (U.S. - English), ESPN Deportes+ (U.S. - Spanish), Sky Sports 5/HD (U.K.).
Online: ESPN3, Fox Soccer 2Go and Fox Sports GO (U.S.), Sportsnet World Now (Canada), Sky Go (U.K.), Sky Go Deutschland (Germany).
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