BVB won an entertaining encounter 3-2 after Niko Kovač’s side had already established a two-goal lead by half-time. Arsenal improved considerably after the break but were unable to complete the comeback. For Borussia Dortmund, it was an encouraging test ahead of the new season.
Dortmund strike early
Arsenal had the first opportunity of the match, but Dortmund made their first breakthrough just a few minutes later. Samuele Inácio found space inside the penalty area in the seventh minute and gave BVB the lead with a composed finish.
Arsenal responded and could have drawn level before the half-hour mark. Martin Ødegaard was brought down just outside the penalty area, with referee Chris Kavanagh eventually awarding a free-kick rather than a penalty. Shortly afterwards, Viktor Gyökeres went even closer when he struck the crossbar following a promising move down the right.
Instead of an equaliser, however, Dortmund doubled their advantage at the other end. Riccardo Calafiori lost possession near the halfway line, allowing Konstantinos Karetsas to break into space. The 18-year-old summer signing cut inside before curling an excellent finish into the far corner. For the Greek youngster, who had joined from KRC Genk only a few days earlier, it was an ideal start in Dortmund colours.
Arsenal respond after the break
Mikel Arteta’s side returned from half-time with far more purpose. Christos Tzolis in particular caused Dortmund repeated problems down the left. In the 55th minute, the Greece international created Arsenal’s first goal, delivering the ball for Ethan Nwaneri to finish and reduce the deficit to 2-1.
Any hopes of a quick turnaround lasted only a few minutes. Arsenal failed to clear their lines following a Dortmund corner, allowing former Salzburg defender Joane Gadou to react quickest and restore BVB’s two-goal cushion.
That goal will have been particularly frustrating for Arteta. Arsenal had already shown defensive weaknesses in their 3-1 defeat to Real Betis a few days earlier. Against Dortmund, too, the goals conceded were not solely the result of well-constructed opposition moves, with individual errors and untidy defending also playing their part.
Tzolis provides Arsenal’s biggest threat
There were nevertheless some encouraging signs for the English champions in attack. Tzolis was one of Arsenal’s liveliest players at the Emirates Stadium. After setting up the first goal, he also won a penalty in the 69th minute, which Gyökeres converted confidently to make it 3-2.
Arteta made a number of changes in the closing stages and handed minutes to several young players. Arsenal came very close to an equaliser in stoppage time when Gabriel Martinelli put the ball into the Dortmund net, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Moments later, BVB’s 3-2 victory was confirmed.
Encouraging signs for a youthful Dortmund side
For Dortmund, the performance was particularly notable given the youthful nature of Kovač’s line-up. Inácio, Karetsas and Gadou, all aged 19 or younger, scored the three goals. Inácio had already established himself in the first-team squad last season and made his senior debut for Italy in June.
Arsenal were also some way short of full strength. Several players returning from World Cup duty were still unavailable, while captain Ødegaard made his first appearance since the tournament. Bruno Guimarães, signed only a day earlier, was presented to the supporters before kick-off but was not yet part of the matchday squad.
There was also an unusual extra after the final whistle. Regardless of the result, the two teams had agreed to stage a penalty shootout for practice. Arsenal won it 5-4 after Illan Meslier saved an effort from Mathis Albert. It did not affect the outcome of the Emirates Cup, however: the trophy went to Borussia Dortmund.
