The main target for Arminia Bielefeld is to secure their place in the German top flight before the last game of the season. Last season’s finale was far too exciting for the Westphalian side as they only avoided the drop on the last matchday. Finishing fifteenth with thee points more than relegated 1. FC Nürnberg ensured that Arminia re in the Bindesliga for the fifth season in succession.

Only one win in 13 games

Arminia Bielefeld know that they face a relegation battle again this term. Recent results have confirmed this status. The Bielefeld side have only picked up one point from three home matches against probable fellow strugglers (Karlsruhe, Cottbus and Mönchengladbach). After 13 games Arminia have just one win and 9 points and occupy last but one place in the table.

Wichniarek extends contract

Last Saturday’s goalless draw away to VfB Stuttgart demonstrated Arminia’s main problem – the failure to take their chances. Only Artur Wichniarek has been convincing in front of goal and he is currently the club’s top scorer with 12 goals.

The Polish striker signed a contract extension to 2011 on Monday and more is to come. “We will bring in some new players during the winter break and we’ll have to make sure that we can keep in touch with teams above us until then,” declared Arminia president Hans-Hermann Schwick two weeks ago.

Tough challenge

There were no spectacular signings in the summer. Only the arrival of the the Fin Berat Sadik brought hopes of having signed a raw talent. The 21-year-old central striker cost 400,000 euros, as did right back Michael Lamey from MSV Duisburg. Central defender Nico Herzig came on a free transfer from Alemannia Aachen.

The last two obviously want to avoid a swift return to the second division but that will be a tough challenge – probably up to the last game of the season...