Borussia Dortmund vs Arsenal preview - Defensive worries for Arsenal

Posted Tuesday, September 16, 2014 by PA

Arsenal's defensive resources for Tuesday's Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund are being severely tested after Arsene Wenger ruled out Nacho Monreal and rated Calum Chambers only 50-50.

Monreal failed to travel to Germany because of a back problem while Chambers has succumbed to tonsillitis and will be assessed again on Tuesday morning.

It potentially leaves Arsenal without three full-backs as Mathieu Debuchy, who was already suspended for the Group D opener, faces an extended spell on the sidelines because of an ankle problem.

Chambers had been earmarked to replace Debuchy but should he fail to recover, 19-year-old Spaniard Hector Bellerin will add to his solitary senior appearance for the Gunners.

Wenger is confident Bellerin can plug the gap at the BVB Stadium Dortmund. Kieran Gibbs will start at left-back in place of Monreal.

"In defence we are....the Debuchy injury has put us in a position where we don't want more injuries," Wenger said.

"We have Bellerin, who I think is now ready to play. He's a boy with personality who isn't fazed by the pressure.

"That's a very important quality when you're a young boy playing at a big club. His transition game is fantastic. He's very quick and his final ball is good as well.

"He lacks a bit of experience as a defender, but he's very dangerous going forward."

Wenger's refusal to add to his defence during the summer - he signed Chambers but sold Thomas Vermaelen - may now come back to haunt him, with Debuchy facing an extended spell in the treatment room.

The Frenchman was carried off on a stretcher with ligament damage in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium and reports state he could be missing for up to three months.

"Debuchy is out for a longer period. We don't know how long yet. We hoped to have good news after his scan today (Monday)," Wenger said.

"We have Chambers who can play in different positions and Monreal can play in different positions."

Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp believes Shinji Kagawa's Manchester United career suffered due to the instability at Old Trafford.

Kagawa was sold back to Dortmund by Louis van Gaal following two unsuccessful seasons at Old Trafford, resulting in a near-B£6million loss on a player who United signed for B£12million in 2012.

The Japan midfielder is highly-popular at the BVB Stadium Dortmund and in the first match since his return he inspired a 3-1 victory over Freiburg on Saturday.

"I was kind of surprised Kagawa was on the market again," Klopp said.

"His first year at Manchester United was Sir Alex Ferguson's last year, so that isn't the time to develop players.

"The only thing you want at that stage is results and titles.

"Kagawa's second year at United was the first year of the new coach, so that's also all about results.

"Then there was a third manager with a very successful philosophy (Van Gaal).

"So we saw the chance to sign Kagawa and we took it. Kagawa was sensational against Freiburg."