The head-to-heads on the pitch that could decide the game.
Arsenal host Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League in what should be a great encounter between two of Europe’s biggest sides.
With so much talent on show for both teams, fanatix looks at the key battles between the Gunners and Dortmund.
Sven Bender v Mesut Ozil
Most of the creativity from Arsene Wenger’s side now comes from the supremely talented Ozil and Dortmund will need to suppress the German to have any chance of success.
However, in Bender the visitors have a solid defensive midfielder who can boss matches and knows Ozil well from national team duties.
Jurgen Klopp is likely to get the 24-year-old to sit in the hole where the £42.4m man generally operates and keep the attacking midfielder quiet.
Robert Lewandowski v Per Mertesacker
Whilst Barcelona were plugging the tactics of small and skillful forwards – i.e. Lionel Messi – Bundesliga clubs continued with the burly strikers.
Not to downplay the talent and skill of Lewandowski, who is one of the most prolific attackers in European football currently.
Mertesacker’s size and physicality makes the German the ideal candidate to try and mark the Poland international, but that won’t be an easy task.
Aaron Ramsey v Nuri Sahin
Sahin will be somewhat known to English fans having spent a brief – and fairly unsuccessful – spell with Liverpool.
However, now at Dortmund – on-loan from Real Madrid – and the Turkey international will probably be asked to battle with the in-form Ramsey.
The Welshman would probably have been low on opposition sides’ agenda last term, but with nine goals and four assists in 12 matches in 2013/14, that thought has changed.
Marco Reus v Bacary Sagna
Perhaps the biggest threat to Arsene Wenger will be the greatly talented winger Reus, who has eight goals and seven assists this campaign.
The 24-year-old is one of Dortmund’s most prolific players and will keep Sagna busy when bursting down the left flank and cutting inside.
Whether or not the Frenchman can deal with this could determine whether Wenger starts seriously looking for a new right-back or not.
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