Arsenal prepare for Dortmund clash amid injury concerns and transfer setbacks
Mikel Arteta’s side face Borussia Dortmund on Sunday, seeking to rebuild momentum following a defeat to Real Betis and the loss of key player Louie Copley to injury.
Arsenal are set to host Borussia Dortmund in a pre-season friendly at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, 9 August, kicking off at 2:00pm BST. The fixture forms part of the Emirates Cup and serves as a critical preparatory step for manager Mikel Arteta, who is looking to restore stability within the squad ahead of the Premier League title defence.
The match arrives just over a week after a 3-1 defeat to Real Betis, a result that left Arteta searching for tactical answers. The loss was compounded by a significant injury to youngster Louie Copley, who suffered a serious ailment during the Betis game. Arteta described the prognosis as not too positive, indicating the player could face a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Team selection remains fluid, with captain Martin Odegaard returning from holiday and potentially featuring for the first time this pre-season. Conversely, Dortmund will be without Carney Chukwuemeka due to a knee injury, alongside absentees Emre Can and Nico Schlotterbeck. Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhaes returned to the Arsenal fold for the previous fixture, providing some continuity for Arteta’s plans.
The friendly also highlights recent administrative challenges for the club. Following technical issues that disrupted the broadcast of the Girona match on the Arsenal website and app, the club has moved the Dortmund game to a free broadcast on the Arsenal YouTube channel. Supporters who purchased access to the Girona match or the full pre-season bundle are eligible for refunds, with some territorial exclusions applying to the YouTube stream.
Beyond the pitch, the club continues to navigate transfer developments, with Vinicius Jr opting for a long-term extension at Real Madrid rather than joining Arsenal. Arteta remains focused on building momentum for the upcoming season, which begins with the Community Shield against Manchester City in Cardiff next week, followed by the Premier League opener against Coventry City.
