The main change post-Sahin has been that of a creative vacuum opening up in the center of the team, and 19-year-old Mario Götze has made filled it amply. The scorer of the winner in Bavaria at the weekend, Götze is now perhaps the side’s pivotal figure (and one of Europe’s hottest properties). He didn’t escape international criticism after the Marseille defeat, but has bounced back, like the rest of his teammates. On Wednesday, Arsenal proved a bridge too far for Dortmund, the side’s rhythm and energy disrupted by the forced substitution of Sven Bender and Götze within a few calamitous first-half minutes as well as the superior pedigree of a side sealing a 12th successive progression to the Champions League knockout stage. Still, Götze’s status as this season’s must-have was highlighted by the reaction to his exit here at the Emirates, with Arsenal’s fans politely applauding a star they hope will slot into their own constellation in the future, however unlikely that may be. Though Dortmund can still qualify if it beats Marseille 4-0 at the Westfalen while already-qualified Arsenal does it a favor (“I’ll be telling [former Dormund, now Arsenal defender] Per (Mertesacker) I’ll kick his a-- if they don’t win,†laughed Hummels after the game), it is hardly a probability. “Life goes on,†the Brazilian central defender Felipe Santana told this column after the match. It certainly does, and Dortmund’s joie de vivre promises to make it a more and more integral part of the Champions League furniture in years to come.
