• Champions League

Klopp: Ozil can help Arsenal reach final

Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp believes Arsenal can reach the Champions League final and has praised the impact of record signing Mesut Ozil.

Klopp, who takes his Dortmund side to the Emirates Stadium for Tuesday night's Champions League meeting, has praised Arsene Wenger's patience in the transfer market and stated his capture of Ozil and Mathieu Flamini have been the right acquisitions.

"Of course they [Arsenal] are strong enough to go to the Champions League final," Klopp said. "They are first in one of the strongest leagues in the world.

"Two or three months ago everyone wanted Arsene to spend £80 million - then he took Flamini for nothing, a good idea, and then Mesut [Ozil]. This team missed one player and maybe it can be Mesut?"

Klopp admitted that, if he had to pay for a ticket to watch a football match, he would choose Dortmund's trip to London.

However, rather ironically, the coach will be sat in the stands as he serves the second of his two-match ban for reacting angrily to the fourth official in his side's 2-1 defeat to Napoli.

With Dortmund hosting Wenger's side in the reverse fixture in two weeks' time, Klopp is adamant the two matches will prove to be fantastic football spectacle.

"They have more points [than us], are in first place in one of the strongest leagues in the world and are at home, so they will be the favourites," Klopp said. "But I think these will be two close games and some of the small things will decide what will happen.

"If I had to pay for a ticket, then I think I would pick this one. As a supporter this is one of the most beautiful types of football to watch.

"Who is strong enough to be champions in the Premier League is of course strong enough to go to the final of the Champions League. Now they are back in the race [for titles] and we want to stop them. And maybe it is better for my teams for one or two games in the year when I am far away."

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