Arsenal’s first home match of the summer ended in defeat as they were beaten 3-2 by Borussia Dortmund in the Emirates Cup.
Mikel Arteta’s side were slack defensively and went in at the break two goals behind after brilliant finishes from Samuele Inacio and Konstantino Karetsas.
Ethan Nwaneri pulled one back after half-time, only for Joane Gadou to extend Dortmund’s lead again almost immediately.
Viktor Gyokeres converted from the spot but Arsenal could not find a late equaliser, with Gabriel Martinelli’s stoppage-time strike ruled out for offside.
As was planned before the match regardless of the result, a penalty shootout took place after the match. Arsenal won it 5-4 as Nwaneri lifted his spot-kick into the top corner to settle it.
Kepa Arrizabalaga 5
Unable to save his side for either of the first two goals. Had very little to do other than that, but did not inspire huge confidence when Dortmund put balls into the box. Unconvincing pre-season continued.
Ben White 6
Arsenal need him to stay fit and this was a decent performance. Kept offering an option on the overlap and unfortunate that more was not made of a couple of crosses. Combined nicely with Dowman and largely solid defensively.
Cristhian Mosquera 6
Caught out when Inacio ran off the back of him to open the scoring. Got better as the match went on, using his body well against Bellingham and Silva. Does not offer the same calm as Saliba but very few do.
Gabriel 5
Got too tight to Silva for Dortmund’s opener, leaving him out of position. Huge chance to pull a goal back before half-time but powered free header over the bar. Nuisance from set-pieces but off his best defensively.
Riccardo Calafiori 5
Caught on the ball far too easily when cutting into midfield as Dortmund then broke to make it 2-0. Improved after that, picking out Dowman on the counter. Then defended really well as last man to stop Inacio running through.
Myles Lewis-Skelly 6
Won two fouls in trademark fashion, using his body in tight areas. Struggled to control the midfield as the sole No6 - often left exposed and didn’t have the legs to cover the ground. Lacked a dominant presence alongside him.
Kai Havertz 5
Another chance in midfield but still little evidence that is where he is best. Made a good run in behind but followed it with a poor pass when Gyokeres was free. Did not offer enough defensively as a No8, no real impact on the game.
Martin Odegaard 7
Played half an hour as expected on his return. Brought down just outside the box when clean through, and played two lovely passes in behind for Havertz and Dowman. Promising start to his summer.
Max Dowman 6
Benefitting from Saka and Madueke still being off after the World Cup. Burst into life when skipping past Beier brilliantly and finding Gyokeres, who hit the bar. Influence faded in the second half when he hardly had a touch.
Viktor Gyokeres 6
Clumsy performance on the whole. Arsenal looked to get the ball to him quickly early on but he did not do enough with it, looking awkward holding it up. Turned well to get a shot away to hit the bar, though, and converted penalty with his usual confidence.
Looks a superb signing already. Great wing play to beat his man and pick out Nwaneri to make it 2-1 and then won the penalty when drifting over to the right. Worked really hard and set-piece delivery was top drawer as well.
Substitutes:
Ethan Nwaneri (Odegaard 32’) 8
Really sharp. Added some much-needed legs in midfield and buzzed around the pitch. Great finish to get Arsenal going after half-time. Almost added a second when Meyer was forced to tip behind. His penalty won the shootout.
Illan Meslier (Kepa 46’) 5
Not decisive enough when coming off his line for Dortmund’s third goal. Saved well from Albert in the shootout, proved to be the key moment.
Piero Hincapie (Calafiori 60’) 6
Shifted into centre-back after all the late subs. All-action as ever, scrapping with Bellingham for a loose ball when trying to force the issue. Scored spot-kick.
Marli Salmon (Gabriel 60’) 7
Big cheer when he matches Guirassy for pace and slid in to stop him running through on goal.
Gabriel Martinelli (Tzolis 78’) 6
Somehow beat Meyer from a tight angle in stoppage-time but denied by offside flag. Had been playing fairly central. Great penalty.
Gabriel Jesus (Gyokeres 78’) 6
Linked up well with Martinelli for disallowed goal. Nice switch out to Vieira too. Calmly slotted away penalty.
Ife Ibrahim (Lewis-Skelly 78’) 6
Confident in demanding the ball off his defenders. Looked the part in midfield.
Fabio Vieira (Dowman 78’) 6
Dangerous curling cross was hacked behind for a corner, leading to Martinelli’s disallowed goal. Found the bottom corner in the shootout.
Ceadach O’Neil (Havertz 78’) 6
More pre-season minutes for the teenager from Northern Ireland. Some nice touches from No10 position.
Josh Ogunnaike (Mosquera 78’) 5
Played more as a traditional left-back rather than inverting. Not tested.
Theo Julienne (White 78’) 5
Injuries meant he got some minutes at right-back but limited opportunity to impress. Drifted into midfield, his more natural position.
