UEFA Champions League: Analysing Arsenal's opponents in Group D

After beating Besiktas on Wednesday, Arsenal qualified for the 17th consecutive season for the UEFA Champions League. Arsenal were in Pot 1 when the draws were made at The Grimaldi Forum in Monaco and are been drawn in Group D along with heavyweights Borussia Dortmund, Belgian Champions RSC Anderlecht & Super Lig runners-up Galatasaray. We take an in-depth look on who Arsenal will be facing when they take on the opponents from Group D.

#1 Borussia Dortmund

Coach: Jurgen Klopp

Stadium: Westfalenstadion

Star Player:

After the departure of Robert Lewandowski to Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich, Marco Reus will be spearheading the Yellow Brigade.

Trivia:

Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal are in the same group for the 3rd time in past 4 seasons. The two teams won their away games when they met last time. Arsenal have a slight upper hand when it comes to head to head as Gunners’ record against BVB is: Played 6, Won 3, Lost 2 & Drawn 1.

Last 4 Seasons in Europe:

2013/14: Champions League quarter-finals
2012/13: Champions League runners-up
2011/12: Champions League group stage
2010/11: Europa League group stage

European Honours (Runners-up in bracket):

UEFA Champions League: 1997, (2013)
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1966
European/South American (EUSA) Cup: 1997

Team's reaction to the draw:

Jürgen Klopp, Dortmund coach:
“We are meeting some old acquaintances and some fresh faces. I have never played in Anderlecht or Istanbul. Before the draw, we didn't really wish for any particular opponent, so we are taking it as it comes now. Starting Saturday, we'll be collecting information on these opponents.”

Mats Hummels, Dortmund captain:
“Galatasaray and Anderlecht are two new and interesting opponents for us. If we think about a Champions League group, then Arsenal basically belong on the list for us. What we expect from ourselves is to get through this group.”