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Dortmund's Lewandowski stuns Arsenal

Updated: 2013-10-23 13:13
( Agencies)

Dortmund's Lewandowski stuns Arsenal

Borussia Dortmund's Robert Lewandowski celebrates after defeating Arsenal during their Champions League soccer match at the Emirates stadium in London Oct 22, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

LONDON - Robert Lewandowski scored in the 82nd minute to give Borrusia Dortmund at 2-1 Champions League win at Arsenal on Tuesday, ending the Premier League-leading Gunners' unbeaten run that stretched back to mid-August.

Lewandowski met a cross from right back Kevin Grosskreutz to side-foot past Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny at the far post for the winner.

Dortmund scored first when Henrikh Mkhitaryan drove in a low shot in the 16th that beat Szczesny after Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey lost possession when he was tackled from behind just outside the area. Lewandowski pounced on the ball and set up Mkhitaryan.

Arsenal equalized in the 41st when Olivier Giroud fired into an empty net from a yard out after a cross from Bacary Sagna caused confusion in the box as Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller and center back Mats Hummels attempted to clear the danger. The ball deflected off Weidenfeller's torso and looped up perfectly for Giroud.

Both teams have have six points after three matches in Group F. The match appeared to be heading for a draw in the rain before the late counterattack from Dortmund down the right ensured Arsenal's first defeat since August 17.

Dortmund left Arsenal chasing the match from the start at Emirates Stadium in front of 60,000 fans. The German club, a Champions League finalist last season, pressed high up the pitch, leaving Arsenal to defend deep for long periods and stifling its usual attacking rhythm. Marcos Reus had several chances to score early on.

But the Gunners found their stride in the closing minutes of the first half, with Tomas Rosicky firing a shot that was cleared from the line by center back Mats Hummels. Earlier, Giroud claimed he should have had a penalty in the 22nd when the forward was brought down on the right side, but TV replays showed the foul was committed just outside the box. Laurent Koscielny headed the free kick well over the bar.

Santi Cazorla, who recently returned from injury, hit the crossbar in the 69th, but Arsenal lost the passing battle in midfield, with Dortmund out-thinking and outmuscling the home side. The Gunners were missing defensive midfielder Mathieu Flamini, who is recovering from a concussion.

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