Arsenal vs Dortmund: A Crucial Emirates Test
The Emirates Stadium stages its first major occasion of the summer on Sunday as Premier League champions Arsenal host Borussia Dortmund in a friendly that feels anything but low-key.
This is not a victory-lap exhibition. It’s a measuring stick.
Arsenal juggling absences and expectations
Mikel Arteta’s squad returns to North London with its preseason rhythm checked. Wins over MK Dons and Girona hinted at a smooth build-up, only for a 3-1 defeat to Real Betis in Dublin to jolt preparations.
Now comes a different kind of examination.
Arsenal remain without a clutch of World Cup finalists and third-place contenders. Mikel Merino, David Raya, Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Noni Madueke and Bukayo Saka are all still away after deep runs with their national teams, stripping Arteta of some of his most reliable pillars in midfield and attack.
William Saliba’s back injury removes the defensive cornerstone who so often sets the tone from the back line. That absence alone changes the feel of any Arsenal XI.
There is, however, one significant boost. Martin Odegaard has rejoined training after his World Cup exertions with Norway, a timely return for a side that leans heavily on his tempo, vision, and leadership between the lines. Whether he starts or eases in from the bench, his presence immediately sharpens Arsenal’s attacking patterns.
Arteta will again be forced into experimentation. Younger players and fringe options have already been pushed into the spotlight this summer; Dortmund’s visit raises the level of scrutiny. A misstep against Betis can be written off. A flat performance at home, against a Champions League regular, lands differently.
Dortmund arrive in flux, but still dangerous
Dortmund’s own preseason has been a curious tour, played entirely away from home. Wins over Rot-Weiss Oberhausen and FC Tokyo have been offset by defeats to Fortuna Dusseldorf and Cerezo Osaka, a mixed bag that underlines a team still searching for cohesion.
The squad itself has changed shape. Julian Brandt has departed for Ajax, Karim Adeyemi has gone to Barcelona, and Niklas Sule has dropped down several tiers to Tiefenbach. That’s a significant chunk of top-level experience and attacking edge removed from the dressing room.
The club’s American thread has frayed and re-stitched in different places. Forward Cole Campbell has left for Bundesliga newcomers Elversberg, while 17-year-old winger Mathis Albert steps into the senior frame, a fresh face in a side that rarely shies away from trusting youth.
Injuries have also played their part. Nico Schlotterbeck and Emre Can are both sidelined, stripping Dortmund of a key centre-back and a seasoned midfield enforcer. For most clubs, that would invite caution. For Dortmund, it simply opens the door to the next wave.
Serhou Guirassy has been heavily involved this preseason, bringing his penalty-box presence and finishing instincts to a team that will need new sources of goals. Waldermar Anton adds defensive steel and organisation, while Felix Nmecha — linked with Newcastle — continues to feature and build his case as a central figure for the coming campaign.
There is enough quality here to punish any Arsenal sloppiness, even in August.
A friendly with an edge
Strip away the “friendly” label and what remains is a serious test for both managers.
For Arsenal, this is the first chance for home supporters to gauge how their champions are knitting together after a fragmented summer. The absentees are high-profile, but the expectation remains unforgiving. Arteta will want intensity, control, and signs that the next tier of his squad can carry the load when the stars are missing.
For Dortmund, the Emirates offers a stage to stress-test a remodelled side against one of Europe’s most cohesive outfits. A positive performance in North London would steady a preseason that has swung between sharp and shaky.
Kick-off comes at 2pm ET on Sunday, August 9, at the Emirates Stadium, with coverage on Arsenal.com and the Arsenal app for subscribers.
It is only preseason on the calendar. On the pitch, for two clubs reshaping on the fly, it feels like something more: an early glimpse of who is really ready for the season that’s rushing towards them.
