Arsenal renew ties with Dortmund, Galatasaray

Group D: Arsenal FC, Borussia Dortmund, Galatasaray AŞ, RSC Anderlecht

• Arsenal and Dortmund are in the same group for the third time in four seasons. The two rivals won their away games last term, Dortmund triumphing 2-1 in London but losing 1-0 at home, before they both finished level on 12 points with SSC Napoli – Dortmund ended in first place, Arsenal second.

• Galatasaray beat Arsenal 4-1 on penalties in the 2000 UEFA Cup final after a goalless draw in Copenhagen. That breakthrough victory made the Istanbul club the first Turkish team to clinch a European trophy.

• Galatasaray's Emmanuel Eboué made 132 Premier League appearances for Arsenal between 2005 and 2011.

• Anderlecht won 5-1 in each leg of their European Cup Winners' Cup second round tie against Galatasaray in 1976/77.

• All four sides featured in the 2013/14 group stage. For Arsenal, this is a 17th successive UEFA Champions League campaign.

Reaction

Jürgen Klopp, Dortmund coach
We are meeting some old acquaintances and some fresh faces. I have never played in Anderlecht or Istanbul. Before the draw, we didn't really wish for any particular opponent, so we are taking it as it comes now. Starting Saturday, we'll be collecting information on these opponents.

Mats Hummels, Dortmund captain
Galatasaray and Anderlecht are two new and interesting opponents for us. If we think about a Champions League group, then Arsenal basically belong on the list for us. What we expect from ourselves is to get through this group.

İlkay Gündoğan, Dortmund midfielder
I have Turkish roots so matches against Turkish opponents are very special. Arsenal are a top team and a reunion with them and a few German internationals will be emotional. I expect a fast-paced match. If you have followed Anderlecht over the last years, you'll know they have a team with lots of talent and quality.

Olcan Adın, Galatasaray midfielder
I watched both of Arsenal's games against Beşiktaş and saw that they were not that good. If luck was on Beşiktaş's side, they would be in the group stage instead. Turkish fans living in Germany will be our biggest advantage when playing Dortmund away. We know this from previous meetings. I believe we can qualify from the group. On paper, Anderlecht might seem like the weakest team, but the away game will certainly be difficult. Their domestic league has already started and they might hit top form before us.

Yasin Öztekin, Galatasaray winger
I guessed all three teams right. It was my dream to have Dortmund in our group. Other groups are much harder than ours. Dortmund did not start the Bundesliga well and Anderlecht are certainly a team that we can beat. We are not fully ready for the season and still have room to improve.

Ünal Aysal, Galatasaray president
All our opponents are strong. It's a tough draw, but Galatasaray are capable of dealing with it. It will almost be like home in Germany and Belgium. Of course, there will be an Arsenal visit. They have always welcomed us well and we have good memories there. Until next Monday, we have time to register players for the group stage – we will sign two or three players and part company with three and four.

Besnik Hasi, Anderlecht coach
It's a tough draw. These are some nice away trips, but these are extremely difficult opponents. All the groups are difficult. I had hoped a bit for Chelsea or Sporting, but we did not draw them. The teams we'll play are teams with a lot of atmosphere. We will do our best. It will also depend on when the different matches are. Anderlecht haven't survived the group stage since 2001. I am not a person to make predictions, but it will be extremely difficult for us.