Arsene Wenger’s deadline day shopping spree paid immediate dividends over the weekend, and will play a big part in the Gunners’ Champions League campaign.
Mikel Arteta played 90 minutes in midfield as Arsenal beat Swansea City 1-0 on Saturday for their first Premier League win of the season. In addition to Arteta performing well, giant German center back Per Metersacker also made an impact.

Metersacker shored up a back line that was reeling from their eight goal mauling at Old Trafford. It harked back to the George Graham days as the Gunners ground out a win that finished “one nil to the Arsenal.” The physical size of Metersacker is also likely to strengthen the long running weakness at set plays.

As Arsenal begin their UEFA Champions League group play, the signing of Arteta will take on magnified importance. In the absence of injured duo Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey, Arteta will be a key figure as Arsenal aim to dominate possession against a Borussia Dortmund midfield that includes German international Mario Gotze.

Metersacker will be on familiar territory playing back in Germany, and will lead an Arsenal backline that must keep tabs on Egyptian hit man Mohamed Zidan. Arsenal will boosted by the absence of Dortmund’s star striker Lucas Barrios, who tore a thigh muscle playing for Paraguay in the Copa America Final over the summer.

The leadership of the Arsenal players will also be tested in what will surely be a lively and hostile atmosphere at Signal Iduna Park. Manager Arsene Wenger will be watching from the stands, as his UEFA touchline ban is enforced.

Wenger is well aware of the threat that Dortmund carries. “I have a lot of respect for the team. They play very fast, very offensively, very similar to Arsenal,” Wenger told BBC Sport. “Dortmund have very good technical qualities, they are well organized.”

Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp played down the significance of Wenger’s touchline ban, but is well aware of the danger men in the Gunners’ lineup. “I am not sure whether it will be important that he (Wenger) is on the touchline,” Klopp told BBC Sport. “It would be better if maybe Robin van Persie, Theo Walcott or Gervinho wouldn’t be on the pitch and play.”