Wenger, who takes his team to second-placed Aston Villa for a key Premier League fixture on Saturday, admitted Arsenal were well-beaten by a dominant Dortmund whose pressing game squeezed his team into submission and exposed all their frailties.
"It's very difficult to go into any individual assessment of any player because as a team we were not at the requisite level," said Wenger.
"They were very, very strong in midfield, yes, stronger than us in midfield. It was very difficult."
Wenger, who has guided Arsenal into the Champions League group stages for 17 successive years, was reluctant to dwell on his team's defects until he has seen videos of the game again, but defended Welbeck, a £16 million transfer window deadline day signing from Manchester United.
"Welbeck will improve — we don't have to make a problem of that," he told reporters.
"He had a very lively first half. He had two or three good chances, but couldn't finish them. There was one obvious one... We have to be patient with him."
Welbeck wasted his easiest of three chances in the first half when, with the score still goalless, he turned on to a pass from Aaron Ramsey, but steered his shot wide. It was, said one commentator, an example of the bright movement that showed why Arsenal has signed him and, at the same time, a miss that explained why United had been happy to sell him.
Rodgers heartened by Liverpool resilience
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers drew encouragement from his side's perseverance after they eked out a 2-1 win over Bulgarian newcomers Ludogorets Razgrad on their return to the Champions League.
The five-time champions required a stoppage-time penalty from captain Steven Gerrard to secure victory in Tuesday's Group B game, after Dani Alabo had cancelled out Mario Balotelli's 82nd-minute opener for the hosts.
Gerrard's 93rd-minute spot-kick allowed Liverpool to mark their re-appearance in the competition after a five-year absence with victory, and despite their attacking shortcomings, Rodgers was heartened by their grit.
"It's a competition that's about winning, and winning games," said Rodgers, who had seen his side lose 1-0 at home to Aston Villa on Saturday.
"Sometimes you'll play well and not get a result. For us it was very important to be back in the competition.
"We showed the resilience and character that's in this group, and roared on by our supporters, it was great for us."
Real reaction pleases Ancelotti
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti hailed the reaction of his side to their disappointing start in La Liga as they thrashed Basel 5-1 in the opening game of their Champions League defence on Tuesday.
"The reaction of the team today was good," said Real boss Carlo Ancelotti.
"We pressed very well in the first half and created a lot of chances. Not everything is resolved just yet, but I liked the reaction of the team."
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