Arsenal suffered their second successive pre-season defeat as Borussia Dortmund held on for a 3-2 victory in the Emirates Cup at Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta’s side trailed 2-0 at half-time after goals from Samuele Inácio and debutant Konstantinos Karetsas, before Ethan Nwaneri pulled one back shortly after the restart. Dortmund quickly restored their two-goal advantage through Joane Gadou, with Viktor Gyokeres’ penalty ultimately proving only a consolation.
The result followed Wednesday’s 3-1 defeat against Real Betis and leaves Arsenal with work to do before competitive football begins. Como visit Emirates Stadium on Wednesday before the Gunners face Manchester City in the Community Shield next weekend.
Arsenal did at least welcome several senior players back into the starting side. Gabriel Magalhaes, Kai Havertz and Gyokeres all featured after ReadArsenal reported on their return to Arteta’s plans before the Dortmund game.
Arteta made two changes from the side beaten by Betis, with Gabriel returning in defence and Martin Odegaard making his first appearance of pre-season.
The Arsenal captain was joined by Havertz and Myles Lewis-Skelly in midfield, while Christos Tzolis and 16-year-old Max Dowman supported Gyokeres in attack. Kepa Arrizabalaga continued in goal after his difficult evening against Betis had already given Arteta something to consider.
Dortmund made the brighter start and were ahead after seven minutes. Felix Nmecha played Inácio through the Arsenal defence and the teenager kept his composure to finish into the far corner.
Arsenal responded well and Gyokeres came close to an equaliser after excellent work from Dowman. The youngster escaped Ramy Bensebaini on the right and pulled the ball back for the Sweden international, whose powerful effort struck the crossbar.
Dortmund instead doubled their lead after 29 minutes through Karetsas. The summer signing carried the ball towards the Arsenal penalty area without being closed down before placing a composed finish beyond Kepa and into the far corner.
Arsenal enjoyed more possession as the first half developed but struggled to turn it into clear chances, leaving Arteta’s side with a significant deficit at the interval.
Arteta introduced Nwaneri and Illan Meslier at half-time, replacing Odegaard and Kepa, and Arsenal immediately looked more threatening.
Dowman fired into the side-netting before Nwaneri reduced the deficit in the 54th minute. Tzolis found the midfielder in space inside the penalty area and Nwaneri finished into a largely unguarded net to make it 2-1.
Any momentum lasted only four minutes.
Arsenal failed to properly clear a Dortmund corner and Fabio Silva’s effort was saved by Meslier, but the goalkeeper could only push the ball towards Gadou. The defender converted from close range to restore Dortmund’s two-goal advantage.
Tzolis continued to cause problems and won Arsenal a penalty midway through the second half. Gyokeres stepped up and calmly found the bottom corner to make it 3-2 after 69 minutes.
The Greece international was again involved in both Arsenal goals, continuing an encouraging start following his £34million summer arrival. ReadArsenal has already looked at how Tzolis’ early productivity is giving Arteta another attacking option.
Arsenal pushed for another equaliser but Dortmund protected their advantage to secure the Emirates Cup.
Pre-season results will carry little significance once the Premier League begins, particularly with several of Arteta’s senior internationals still building fitness after the World Cup. Two defeats in succession have nevertheless exposed areas which need sharpening before Manchester City provide a far more meaningful examination next Sunday.
Tzolis and Nwaneri offered encouragement, while Gyokeres again found the net. Arsenal’s defensive vulnerability, though, ensured Dortmund left north London with the trophy.
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