Arsenal bid to step up their pre-season preparations as the Premier League champions take on Borussia Dortmund in the Emirates Cup.
The Gunners have has been boosted by the signing of Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes this week and although the midfielder is set to be presented to the Emirates ahead of kick-off after completing his £75m move, Arsenal fans will have to wait a little longer to see his debut.
Arsenal are still without some of their World Cup stars, such as England’s Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, but Gabriel Magalhaes made his comeback in Wednesday’s 3-1 defeat to Real Betis in Dublin as Mikel Arteta’s squad slowly returns to full strength.
There are now less than two weeks before Arsenal face FA Cup winners Manchester City in the Community Shield, with Arteta’s side beginning their Premier League title defence at home to Championship winners Coventry on Friday 21 August.
Follow live updates from Arsenal v Borussia Dortmund in the Emirates Cup, below
Mikel Arteta says players ‘fuming’ after defeat against Real Betis
Mikel Arteta said his Arsenal players were left “fuming” by their mistakes against Real Betis.
The Arsenal manager added that there would be “fire in the belly” ahead of facing Borussia Dortmund this afternoon.
“It’s better to give those goals away in a friendly match than an official match,” he said.
“It’s a balance between understanding where we are and the personnel we are playing – and the demands that are at the highest level.”
Jamie Braidwood9 August 2026 13:16
What happened to Arsenal against Real Betis?
Sure, it’s only pre-season, but I’m sure Mikel Arteta will be expecting a response from his players following Wednesday’s 3-1 defeat to Real Betis in Dublin. The Gunners conceded two sloppy goals, including an error from goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, as well as a screamer from their Spanish opponents. All four goals – including Piero Hincapie’s header to pull one back – came before half-time. The second half was a non event, but Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli returned to get some minutes.
Jamie Braidwood9 August 2026 13:02
Arsenal still waiting for several World Cup stars to return
A sizable chunk of Arsenal’s squad (including Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke, Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi and David Raya) are still yet to return following their World Cup break but are set to do so this coming week.
Jamie Braidwood9 August 2026 12:55
Bruno Guimaraes not in Arsenal squad
As expected, the new £75m signing is not in the Arsenal squad to face Borussia Dortmund following his arrival from Newcastle on Friday. But he could be presented to the Emirates.
Jamie Braidwood9 August 2026 12:52
Arsenal team news: Odegaard and Gabriel start
Martin Odegaard returns for the first time since the World Cup and captains Arsenal against Borussia Dortmund. Gabriel Magalhaes starts in defence, too, with Myles Lewis-Skelly in midfielder along with Odegaard and Kai Havertz. Viktor Gyokeres leads the line and there’s another start for new signing Christos Tzolis, as well as a start for teenager Max Dowman.
Arsenal XI: Kepa; White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori; Lewis-Skelly, Odegaard, Havertz; Dowman, Gyokeres, Tzolis
Subs: Meslier, Setford, Hincapie, Jesus, Martinielli, Vieira, Nwaneri, Nelson, Ibrahim, Kabia, Ogunnaike, Julienne, O’Neill, Salmono
Jamie Braidwood9 August 2026 12:47
Hello and welcome
Good afternoon. Arsenal return to the Emirates for the first time since lifting the Premier League title as the Gunners step up their pre-season preparations against Borussia Dortmund in the Emirates Cup.
The Emirates Cup used to be a bit of a punchline but Arsenal’s ambitions are much higher these days as Mikel Arteta’s looks to embark on a defence of their Premier League title. Their season-opener against Coventry City is fast approaching, as is the curtain-raiser of the Community Shield against FA Cup winners Manchester City.
It’s a roasting hot afternoon and team news will be coming up shortly.
Jamie Braidwood9 August 2026 12:42