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-finals2012/13: Champions League runners-up2011/12: Champions League group stage2010/11: Europa League group stage

European Honours (Runners-up in bracket):

UEFA Champions League: 1997, (2013)UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1966European/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.”

#2 Galatasaray AS

Arsenal players look dejected after losing to Galatasaray on penalties in the 2000 UEFA Cup Final.

Coach: Cesare Prandelli

Stadium: Turk Telekom Arena

Star Player:

Dutchman Wesley Sneijder will be leading the Turks in the Europe after Didier Drogba joined Chelsea as his contract expired with Gala.

Trivia:

In 2000, the Istanbul giants beat Arsenal when these two sides met in the final of UEFA Cup on penalties 4-1, after a goal-less draw in extra time. This breakthrough victory made Galatasaray the first Turkish club to clinch a European Trophy.

Also, Arsenal will be travelling to Turkey for the third time in recent time, as they travelled to Fenerbahçe & Besiktas for the play play-offs to confirm their place in the UEFA Champions League for the seasons 2013/14 & 2014/15 respectively.

Last 4 Seasons in Europe:

2013/14: Champions League round of 162012/13: Champions League quarter-finals2011/12: did not participate in UEFA club competition2010/11: Europa League play-offs

European Honours:

UEFA Cup: 2000UEFA Super Cup: 2000

Team's reaction to the draw:

Yasin Öztekin, Galatasaray winger:“I guessed all three teams right. It was my dream to have Dortmund in our group. Other groups are much harder than ours. Dortmund did not start the Bundesliga well and Anderlecht are certainly a team that we can beat. We are not fully ready for the season and still have room to improve.”

Ünal Aysal, Galatasaray president:”All our opponents are strong. It's a tough draw, but Galatasaray are capable of dealing with it. It will almost be like home in Germany and Belgium. Of course, there will be an Arsenal visit. They have always welcomed us well and we have good memories there. Until next Monday, we have time to register players for the group stage – we will sign two or three players and part company with three and four.”

#3 RSC Anderlecht

Arsenal won the 1970 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup Final by beating RSC Anderlecht.

Coach: Besnik Hasi

Stadium: Constant Vanden Stock Stadium

Star Player:

Belgian International Steven Defour is the only recognisable name in the line-up of the Royal Sporting Club.

Trivia:

Argentine midfielder and former Arsenal target Lucas Biglia used to play for RSC Anderlecht from 2006 to 2013. He was linked with a move to north London almost every transfer window as Arsenal were looking for a defensive midfielder, a place they are yet to replace after the departures of stalwarts Patrick Vieira and Gilberto Silva. Biglia shifted his base to Italian side Lazio in the summer of 2013.

Arsenal’s only previous meeting with RSC Anderlecht came in the final of 1970 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, when the Gunners won 4-3 on aggregate. The Belgian club won the home leg 3-1, but lost 3-0 at Highbury.

Last 4 Seasons in Europe:

2013/14: Champions League group stage2012/13: Champions League group stage2011/12: Europa League round of 322010/11: Europa League round of 32 (having transferred from UEFA Champions League play-offs)

European Honours:

UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1976, (1977), 1978, (1990)

UEFA Cup: 1983, (1984)

UEFA Super Cup: 1976, 1978

Team's reaction to the draw:

Besnik Hasi, Anderlecht coach:

“It's a tough draw. These are some nice away trips, but these are extremely difficult opponents. All the groups are difficult. I had hoped a bit for Chelsea or Sporting, but we did not draw them. The teams we'll play are teams with a lot of atmosphere. We will do our best. It will also depend on when the different matches are. Anderlecht haven't survived the group stage since 2001. I am not a person to make predictions, but it will be extremely difficult for us.”