Arsenal is gearing up to host Borussia Dortmund in an exciting pre-season encounter on Sunday, August 9, at the Emirates Stadium. This match presents an opportunity for both teams to fine-tune their squads ahead of the upcoming competitive season.
The kick-off is scheduled for 2 PM BST, and Arsenal will be looking to bounce back after a mixed pre-season campaign. Under the guidance of manager Mikel Arteta, the Gunners have seen some ups and downs, including a strong 4-1 victory over Girona, followed by a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Real Betis in their last outing in Dublin.
As Arsenal prepares for this clash, the squad is dealing with several notable absences. Key players such as Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, David Raya, Eberechi Eze, and Martin Zubimendi are unavailable as Arteta carefully integrates his senior stars back into the fold following their extended breaks after the World Cup. On a positive note, captain Martin Ødegaard has returned to full training and is expected to make a brief appearance off the bench.
Defensively, Arsenal is facing challenges with William Saliba out long-term due to a back injury and Jurriën Timber unlikely to participate after undergoing surgery. Additionally, young talent Louie Copley is sidelined with an ACL injury sustained during pre-season. Fans may get a glimpse of new signing Bruno Guimarães, who could make his debut, alongside potential home debuts for Christos Tzolis and Illan Meslier.
On the other side, Borussia Dortmund, managed by Niko Kovač, is also navigating a series of squad rotations and injuries as they prepare for the match. The team will be without several key players, including Waldemar Anton, who is being rested, and star goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, along with full-back Julian Ryerson, both of whom are returning late from international duty.
Dortmund's injury list includes Emre Can, who is recovering from a long-term ACL injury, and Nico Schlotterbeck, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury. Midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka is also a doubt after experiencing knee issues during the club's pre-season tour. However, there is some good news for Dortmund as 17-year-old Brazilian prospect Kaua Prates has recovered from a thigh injury and is set to feature, along with highly-rated 18-year-old Konstantinos Karetsas, who is expected to make his debut.
In terms of form, Arsenal, the reigning Premier League champions, are looking to regain momentum, while Borussia Dortmund has had a mixed pre-season, with two wins and two losses from their four friendlies. They began their pre-season with a strong 3-1 victory over Rot-Weiß Oberhausen but faced setbacks with a 2-1 loss to Fortuna Düsseldorf and a narrow defeat to Cerezo Osaka during their tour of Japan.
As both teams prepare to take the field, fans can look forward to an engaging match that will showcase emerging talents and seasoned players alike. The match will be available to watch live and for free in the UK on the Official Arsenal YouTube Channel, providing an opportunity for supporters to catch the action as it unfolds.
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