The Arsenal Gunners continue to play brilliant soccer on all levels during the first portion of the 2013-2014 season. Currently sitting atop the Barclays Premier League table with 19 points through their first 8 matches, the Gunners remain one of the top teams across the international spectrum, well on their way to topping the club's fourth place finish in the Premier League from a year ago. Along with a 6-1-1 record in the BPL, manager Arsene Wenger and company remain one of the most complete teams in the UEFA Champions League.
Earning 2 victories in their first 2 matches of the First Phase, the Gunners have made life in the ultra-competitive Group F look simple. This UEFA Champions League group was expected to be one of the most compelling pools in the field and while there certainly is a plethora of individual and club talent between Arsenal, Napoli, Borussia Dortmund and Marseille, the Gunners are the team in the driver's seat heading into a crucial slate of games, a slate that will have a major impact on what the elimination stages look like.
Set to take on group rival and 2013 Champions League runner-up Borussia Dortmund when the league schedule resumes, Arsene Wenger knows his club has the ability to compete with the world's best and even though he's happy with his team's start, there is still plenty to do in order to enjoy a special season.
"We have room for improvement and being in the position we are in at the moment and knowing we have room for improvement is of course a good feeling,'' Wenger said recently. "We know we are a team that looks like being successful, for that you need a special hunger and I believe these players have a special hunger.
"I believe that collectively in the way we win the ball back and the use of the ball offensively, we have room for improvement, for more consistency in that and that is what you want from the players," he continued. "I believe in life you can always improve and that is what makes a top-level sportsman or a top-level team, is they always have that surge for improvement."
An Arsenal win against Dortmund will certainly help the club determine the final standings in Group F while their opponents hope for a positive outcome of their own in order to slide into the top half of the four-team pool since a win for manager Jurgen Klopp and Dortmund would tie them with Arsenal for the top spot in Group F.
"Now they have some injuries and are pretty strong," Klopp, who will serve a touchline ban for the upcoming match said of Arsenal. "One year ago nobody could imagine they could play good football, brilliant football, without Cazorla, then he was injured, they played with Ramsey, Wilshere out on the wings, Rosicky back in shape. Olivier Giroud I think is one of the best strikers. I read today Arsenal will have new strikers. Congratulations, one of the best in his team. Maybe he needed one year. Great development."
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Arsenal vs. Dortmund - DATE, TIME & TV INFO
DATE: Tuesday, October 22
TIME: 2:30pm, ET
TV COVERAGE: FOX Soccer Plus
LIVE STREAM: CLICK HERE
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