Arsenal had no shots on target at half time and that was not a surprise. It is easier to create chances against a top side when they have run out of batteries. In the 59th minute Tomas Rosicky got lucky with a misplaced pass that found it’s way back to him, his second attempted pass was much sharper and into Özil’s feet on the right edge of the box. Özil picked out Giroud in the box and the big Frenchman’s awareness was so good that in a crowded penalty box he managed to fight for an aerial

Arsene Wenger’s game plan was executed to perfection in Dortmund last night. As I wrote yesterday, he has tried this approach before but has been undone by moments of madness. There were no such moments last night so we got the clean sheet that we were after from the very start. We did to Dortmund what the likes of Chelsea have been doing to us for a few years now. Concede possession, plug the holes in which Dortmund like to attack and wait patiently until Dortmund’s legs give in.

The Germans are a relentless pressing machine that start big games with maximum intensity, they want to win the game early and not give you a chance to settle into your game and when they win it back they attack with speed and numbers. But Arsenal were switched on from the first minute until the last restricting Dortmund to only a handful of chances and only really one very big chance in which they should have scored. Mkhitaryan curling a shot wide of Szczesny’s right hand post. It was a let off for us no doubt but against a team of such quality at their own ground you have to expect them to get big chances over the course of 90 minutes. In fact it was the first time since 2002 that Dortmund failed to score at home in the Champions League. It was also only the 2nd time in 60 matches at home where they were kept out. That is no accident.

Arsenal had no shots on target at half time and that was not a surprise. It is easier to create chances against a top side when they have run out of batteries. In the 59th minute Tomas Rosicky got lucky with a misplaced pass that found it’s way back to him, his second attempted pass was much sharper and into Özil’s feet on the right edge of the box. Özil picked out Giroud in the box and the big Frenchman’s awareness was so good that in a crowded penalty box he managed to fight for an aerial duel, win the ball yet still cushion his header into the path of Aaron Ramsey who has the nose of a world class striker right now. Ramsey dived to head in amongst flying boots. Something that the likes of Samir Nasri would never have done.

As I am sure Arsene would have hoped, we started to create more chances. Giroud picked out Ramsey in the box with a perfectly floated pass from wide, Ramsey took it on his chest and got in his shot but he hit the keeper for once instead of hitting the net. Mertesacker came close on a couple of occasions especially one header the sailed over the keeper but on the roof of the net rather than in the goal.

Laurent Koscielny should have won a penalty after the Dortmund keeper crashed into our centre back without getting anywhere near the ball.

He looked in agony and I feared he had cracked a rib but luckily he was back on the pitch. He will be needed at Old Trafford.

He and Mertesacker were phenomenal on the night. They cleared, intercepted and blocked all night long. You couldn’t have asked more from them from a defensive point of view.

Tomas Rosicky was our best creative player on the night, his energy was infectious. Passing under pressure, closing down opponents, and winning 50/50 slide tackles. Arsene starts Rosicky as a squad player every season for the last few and he fights his way into our starting 11. This will be his biggest challenge yet.

A Dortmund player called Hofmann came on late in the game, I have never heard of him before but it struck me how much he reminded me of Rosicky in his running style and body shape. Tomas is an idol for many Dortmund fans are perhaps the young players they have.

It wasn’t the most aesthetically pleasing performance but it was for desire and maturity it was right up there. It is this new string to our bow that could make winning the Champions League closer to reality. We saw Chelsea grind out similar performances on route to winning it so it is not impossible.

But that is for another time, let’s enjoy this and then get ready for the big one on Sunday.