Dortmund secure Emirates Cup victory
Arsenal experienced a 3-2 home defeat against Borussia Dortmund in the Emirates Cup, marking their second consecutive loss in pre-season. The match, held at the Emirates Stadium, saw Dortmund take an early lead, with Samuele Inacio and Konstantino Karetsas scoring before half-time. Despite a late rally from Arsenal, they were unable to secure an equaliser.
The home side’s defensive performance was noted as slack throughout the afternoon. Ethan Nwaneri managed to pull a goal back for Arsenal after the interval, but Joane Gadou quickly restored Dortmund’s two-goal advantage. Viktor Gyokeres converted a penalty, narrowing the deficit once more. However, a stoppage-time strike from Gabriel Martinelli was disallowed for offside, confirming Dortmund’s victory and their status as Emirates Cup winners.
Following the match, a penalty shootout took place as planned, regardless of the result. Arsenal won the shootout 5-4, with Ethan Nwaneri scoring the decisive spot-kick. Nmecha lifted the Emirates Cup for Dortmund during the trophy presentation.
Midfield dynamics and new arrivals
The match also saw the presentation of new signing Bruno Guimaraes to the crowd at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta highlighted Guimaraes’s versatility, noting his ability to play in two different positions, his timing and intuition to win the ball, and his capacity to progress plays quickly. Arteta also mentioned Guimaraes’s comfort in moving between lines, moving in behind, and his goal threat.
The return of club captain Martin Odegaard, after his post-World Cup holiday, adds further options to Arsenal’s midfield. Odegaard played for 30 minutes in the game, a typical duration for World Cup players in their initial pre-season appearances. During his time on the pitch, he impressed by threading passes through the Dortmund defence for players like Gyokeres, Kai Havertz, and Max Dowman.
The discussion around Odegaard’s role this season includes whether he will be deployed as a No 10, potentially combining with Eberechi Eze, or return to a deeper, more active role. More game-time with returning players and new arrivals is anticipated to clarify these tactical decisions. Arteta’s captain appeared to be in good physical condition.
Wingers’ impact and pre-season challenges
On the wings, Max Dowman and new signing Christos Tzolis have been consistent starters for Arteta during the warm-up games. Dowman showcased flashes of inspiration with intelligent touches and quick bursts, creating an early opportunity for Gyokeres, who hit the crossbar. Tzolis, a Greece international, grew into the game, contributing to Arsenal’s efforts to reduce the deficit.
Tzolis’s willingness to take on defenders and his consistent effort to either shoot or cross have been notable throughout the pre-season fixtures. His drive into the box and low left-footed cross led to Nwaneri’s goal, and he later won the penalty converted by Gyokeres in the 69th minute before being substituted. With England trio Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke, and Eze expected to report back for training soon, the performances of Dowman and Tzolis could be crucial if the established wingers are not deemed ready for the early Premier League fixtures.
Arsenal’s pre-season has seen mixed results, starting with a 4-1 victory against Girona. However, losses to Real Betis (3-1) and now Dortmund have highlighted areas for improvement, particularly in defensive actions. Arteta acknowledged that the issues are a collective responsibility and not solely isolated to defence. He expects improvements with the full squad available from Monday. The team’s next pre-season friendly is against Como, managed by former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, on Wednesday at the Emirates Stadium.
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Source: standard.co.uk
