Seventeen shots on target, six corners, thirteen fouls and 52% of possession would normally tell a full story… well that is no different to Borussia Dortmund’s Champions League match against Arsenal, who were promptly battered black and blue by a rampant Jurgen Klopp-charged Die-Borussen.

Borussia Dortmund, if you didn’t know, ply their trade in the Westfalenstadion, home to 80,000 plus screaming Dortmund fans, with 25,000 of those forming part of the famous ‘Yellow Wall in the South Tribune.

The 'Yellow Wall'

Yes, it’s rather an inspiring image even when captured on your computer screen with no sound, so imagine how it must feel to be on that pitch, looking up at the South Tribune; Westfalenstadion is a highly intimidating place to go, no matter who you are, just ask stellar names such as Bayern Munich, Schalke 04, Wolfsburg and Werder Bremen who were amongst those to find themselves swallowed by the atmosphere of the fans, as well as the quality of the home team, Borussia Dortmund.

Ah yes, I should move on to why we’re reading this; the match report. Well, the above description of the South Tribune ties in rather well with the fact that only Hertha Berlin have won at the Westfalenstadion in the past year, clearly indicative of just how hard a place Dortmund is to visit. Arsenal were to find it no different themselves and withstood an absolute battering inside the first fifteen minutes.

Bacary Sagna found himself clearing off of his own line when Robert Lewandowski had rounded Wojciech Szczesny and previous to that, Kevin Grosskreutz fired over from a tight angle; Dortmund looked highly-charged and Arsenal were doing well to hang on.

It took Arsenal until the 20th minute to settle into any form of rhythm as they failed to keep the ball and for a while, the match became bogged down in midfield with neither side actually keeping on to the ball for long before either side re-gained possession.

Just before both sides were to go in for half-time, Theo Walcott found himself in possession on his favoured right-wing, cutting inside Marcel Schmelzer which left a gap for Van Persie to run into as Schmelzer went to close Walcott, he sent a pass round the outside of Schmelzer to Van Persie, who ran the ball into the box, finishing with his right past a helpless Roman Weidenfeller. It was Arsenal’s perfect tonic after having been battered by Dortmund and with the goal coming just before half-time, a 1-0 lead was priceless.

In the second half, not much changed, it was same old, same old, as Borussia Dortmund attacked an Arsenal side incapable of holding on to the ball in midfield. I don’t see Benayoun as a player to play deeper in a midfield three, but higher up the pitch, his inability to keep hold of the ball was plain to see, though he did run around tirelessly trying to press Dortmund’s players and he will need time to get used to life at Arsenal, so point neutralised I guess.

Gervinho’s chance aside, where he couldn’t really keep his balance following a challenge from Neven Subotic, meant his one-on-one was squandered when the ball was ran too close tp Weidenfeller to cause any trouble, there was just no real threat from Arsenal. Dortmund were still the side trying to create but an in-form Koscielny was doing his best to keep everybody in a yellow shirt from his goal and when he found his defence beaten, Szczesny was there on hand to help out.

With the game heading towards a conclusion lying in Arsenal’s favour, a cross was headed out by Kieran Gibbs, which fell to summer-signing, Ivan Perisic, who in-turn, looped a volley into Szczesny’s top-left hand corner.

So 1-1 in Germany, a mighty fine result for an Arsenal side needing new players to gel, against a very impressive Dortmund side. Borussia Dortmund on the other hand, will feel highly annoyed with themselves that they failed to actually win the match after they had dominated for long periods.

Meanwhile in Chelsea, Bayer Leverkusen aimed to bring AVB’s Chelsea to the ground as they lined up with a very attack-minded side. Andre Schurrle, Michael Ballack, Stefan Kiessling and Sidney Sam in the same team normally means goals and with Chelsea’s defence being highly suspect of late, I fancied an upset.

West Brom, Sunderland and Norwich have all found a way through Chelsea’s defence so far this season and honestly, I expected a Leverkusen side with higher attacking prowess than Grant Holt, Shane Long and Nicklas Bendtner to steal a goal or two.

Reports in mid-week suggested Fernando Torres was of the opinion his midfielders are too slow in their build-up play, which is an opinion I tend to levitate toward because as I’ve said on here time and time again, it’s not Torres’ fault, but the fault of his fellow players who like to keep hold of the ball just a fraction too long, which in the case of Nicolas Anelka and Florent Malouda, adds up to about ten minutes.

Despite critisicing his team-mates and reports of Andre Villas Boas being utmost annoyed by Torres’ outburt, he actually moulded the team to Torres’ benefit, which low and behold, worked! Torres is a world class player, something you don’t lose in the blink of an eye. AVB had supported Torres with Mata and Sturridge working from the wings and with their faster style of play coming into affect in the final third, Torres, for once, was thriving in a Chelsea shirt. Everybody’s favourite Spaniard even had a goal disallowed with Raul Meireles judged offside. All of Torres’ chances in the first half were provided from the flanks, amazing what happens if you dare to re-shuffle the pack, isn’t it?

However, Chelsea failed to score in the first half and during the second, Bayer Leverkusen were growing in stature, their passing became more daring and ‘Werkself’ should have scored through Michael Ballack after being put through one-on but the former German national captain could only bury the ball into Petr Cech’s chest just before the hour mark.

Several minutes later, Chelsea had scored. David Luiz, the architect of his own goal, carried the ball deep into Leverkusen’s half before laying off to Ashley Cole, who squared to Fernando Torres. A perfect pass from Torres allowed the still-advancing David Luiz to put his foot through the ball and into the corner, sending Stamford Bridge into relieved raptures.

Juan Mata nearly scored soon after Luiz’s goal but was to add his name to Chelsea’s score sheet late on anyway when an unselfish Fernando Torres squared for Juan Mata to tap home when Torres could have easily scored himself.

A change of tactics, a good game from Fernando Torres and a clean sheet makes everything in Chelsea village look comfortable. Providing AVB dares to stick with the same team and tactics he used tonight, Sunday could prove fruitful against an in-form Manchester United…

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