Borussia Dortmund is used to overcoming adversity. They've seen their best players leave for rival Bayern Munich in consecutive years, and still managed to punch above their weight.
But even Jurgen Klopp must admit his club is up against it when they host Arsenal in their Champions League opener on Tuesday. A number of Dortmund's best players, including Mats Hummels and Marco Reus, will not be available against the Gunners.
Sahin, Reus, Kuba, Kirch, Gündogan and Hummels will all not be available against Arsenal. #BVB #Arsenal
— Sandra Goldschmidt (@SanBorussia) September 13, 2014
Klopp will have to be at his managerial best to overcome this glut of injuries. Sandra Goldschmidt offered her proposed starting XI.
@CheemaAFC Weidenfeller - Durm, Sokratis, Subotic, Piszczek - Kehl, Bender/Jojic - Großkreutz, Kagawa, Mkhitaryan - Ramos
— Sandra Goldschmidt (@SanBorussia) September 13, 2014
Shinji Kagawa marked his return to Germany with a bang on Saturday, scoring once and adding an assist to help Dortmund beat Freiburg. He'll need to produce a similar result against Arsenal midweek.