ARSENE Wenger praised “the focus and confidence” surging through his Arsenal team after watching them become the first English team to win at Borussia Dortmund’s imposing Westfalenstadoin this evening (Wednesday). 

 

Aaron Ramsey stooped to head home the only goal of the game on 62 minutes after Oliver Giroud superbly headed Mesut Özil’s cross into the Welshman's path. The 1-0 victory leaves the Gunners top of Group F and within touching distance of qualifying for the knockout stages of the Champions League. 

 

Wenger said: “We were under consistent pressure from the first to the last minute, but we didn’t make mistakes. Our focus was excellent. We looked stable defensively, we had a good mixture of tactical awareness and serene attitude which is, of course, linked to the confidence that has come from our recent run of results.  Overall it was a very mature performance.” 

 

Arsenal have now put together a run of 15 unbeaten away games, which includes 14 wins. The latest away win came against the run of play with Dortmund looking more and more threatening with each passing minute. Wojciech Szczesny denied Marco Reus and Jakub Blaszczykowski as Arsenal spent large periods of the game simply trying to contain their hosts. 

 

Reflecting on Ramsey’s newfound goal-getting form, Wenger said: “A year ago it would have been difficult for him to score, but he’s a young player and his confidence has improved tremendously and that’s a huge credit to him.”

 

Ramsey said: "It was a great achievement from the lads tonight. It's always a difficult place to come. The fans were magnificent. They stuck behind us and we managed to get the win. We were very good defensively. We kept our shape really well. I'm delighted with the way I'm playing and the goals I'm scoring."