Champions League: Crucial win for Arsenal, so Wenger's job is safe... for now
A win for Arsenal and how crucial it may prove.
Not only did this 2-0 victory secure a place in the next round of the Champions League, but it shooed away the Jurgen Klopp-shaped wolf from the door.
The German manager has long been linked with the job at the Emirates Stadium, should Arsene Wenger leave, but his Borussia Dortmund side were made to look very ordinary in the North London mist.
In truth, they had little for which to play. The German side have already qualified and, assuming that they don’t contrive to lose to Anderlecht in their final game, they will qualify in first place.
But had Wenger been bested by Klopp, it would have played into the hands of those who believe that the Dortmund coach is the future and that Wenger is the past.
If this was an audtion, Klopp was politely thanked for his time and ushered off the stage.
Arsenal had a most unlikely hero to thank for their opening goal. Poor hapless Yaya Sanogo had never scored for the Gunners, despite being named as the lone striker in so many big games.
The sight of his name on the team sheet sent a chill through the supporters, but it took him only two minutes to open the scoring.
On the touchline, Wenger applauded jubilantly. His gamble had finally paid off.
Dortmund, and indeed the game itself, calmed down into a sedate ebb and flow with neither side looking likely to score until Alexis Sanchez slammed a second into the back of the net from range after the break.
Arsenal, quite against their present nature, closed the game out and sealed the victory. They will move to the last 16.
Wenger will breathe a sigh of relief. For now, his job his safe.
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