What Borussia Dortmund have that Arsenal lack - lessons the English 'nearly men' could learn from the Bundesliga champions
For Arsenal fans, the last six years have been a series of rollercoaster rides that have ended in comprehensive disappointment. No matter how convincing the Gunners have looked at times, each of their last five seasons has ended without silverware. And in a few weeks’ time, that number will reach six.
Arsenal’s trophy drought has led many to criticise coach Arsene Wenger for almost religiously adhering to a system promoting youth and a so-called "beautiful" style of play emphasising possession and creativity in attack. The critics claim he needs experience in his team and a bit more steel in defensive areas in order to end the title drought. However, a look to the Ruhr area reveals a glimmer of hope, that Wenger’s system may not be as romantic as it appears.
This year, Borussia Dortmund have blitzed the Bundesliga and became the youngest championship-winning team in the German league’s 48-year history. BVB and Arsenal have marked similarities in playing style, but their gap in success suggests that the English could learn a thing or two from the Bundesliga champions, whose mentality, defence, and sheer work rate were each as important as their flashy attack.
Like Wenger’s Arsenal, Jurgen Klopp’s side emphasises an attractive and forward-minded game. In some regards, the two teams also have similar character in midfield. For their respective clubs, Nuri Sahin and Cesc Fabregas are the central ball-players. Out wide, Theo Walcott and Kevin Grosskreutz play similar roles as quick, athletic wingers, while Samir Nasri and Mario Gotze provide creativity on the flanks. For all the similarities the two teams show in head-to-head comparison, however, the ways in which the players are utilised differ significantly.
In possession, Dortmund’s pace sets them apart: they have the technique to play "tiki-taka" football as Arsenal do, but choose to go straight for goal - and in doing so risk losing possession - rather than allow opponents time to regroup. When BVB win the ball, Sahin, and even centre-back Mats Hummels, play the ball upfield as quickly as possible to set up counterattacking opportunities. Even when opponents are defensively set, BVB make a point of one-touch passing their way from the midfield line to the penalty area in minimal time. Theirs is a different, more direct approach to "beautiful" football, one that creates more chances and goals despite the gulf of class between inconsistent BVB striker Lucas Barrios and Arsenal target man Robin van Persie.
The real tactical key to Dortmund’s success - and the defining difference between the German champions and Arsenal - is in defence. With two matches to play, Klopp’s men are on pace to set a new Bundesliga record for fewest goals conceded in a season. Their defensive success is due in part to individual class - centre-backs Hummels and Neven Subotic would be starters in almost any European team, and holding midfielder Sven Bender has justifiably been nicknamed 'The vacuum' - but the most striking feature of Klopp’s Dortmund is their effort. The team defends as a whole; no exceptions are made for wingers or forwards. In fact, it is the attacker Grosskreutz who puts in more work than other BVB players, with a per-game average distance covered in excess of 13 km. For all his pace, Walcott rarely comes close to this mark.
In fairness to Wenger, it would be a mistake to fault his team too much for tactical naivety. In big games, such as last week’s win against Manchester United and their 3-1 triumph against Chelsea in December, Arsenal regularly show their class. The trouble with a 38-game season is that it provides more than enough opportunities to lose focus and stumble in matches against lesser teams. For example, the Gunners followed up their dominant display against Chelsea with a meagre draw against lowly Wigan. It is almost as though the constant reminder of their trophy drought has pulled Arsenal back.
In Dortmund, the situation is different. Especially in the first half of the season, Klopp’s men won games against not only top opposition, but also the likes of Kaiserslautern and St Pauli. The Bundesliga title was never an expectation, and even though they entered the final stretch of the season with a double-digit points lead, any talk of the championship was considered taboo: the entire club refused to answer questions from reporters on the topic. Their silence and "one-step-at-a-time" approach diminished the nerves that so often take their toll on dark horse teams late in the spring.
There is no question that at least in sporting terms, Arsenal have had it tougher go than Dortmund have in recent years. Their trophy-laden recent history and contingent of well-known stars mean that they are always under pressure. Most of Dortmund’s stars only established themselves over the course of this season, and it took months for the Ruhr to finally be considered "champions in waiting." This season has been another failure for Arsenal, but Wenger can appreciate Dortmund's trophy as affirmation that his method can produce results. Arsenal can draw conclusions, both tactical and psychological, from BVB's successful Bundesliga season. With the right tweaks, the arch-idealist Wenger could see his masterplan come to fruition.
