Match Report
Dream goal on debut: BVB beats English champion Arsenal
In their fifth preseason match – following two wins and two losses – Borussia Dortmund faced English champions and Champions League finalists Arsenal FC in the Emirates Cup. BVB coach Niko Kovac was without Emre Can, Nico Schlotterbeck, and Mussa Kaba (all in rehab). Gregor Kobel and Julian Ryerson had returned from their World Cup break just a few days earlier and did not make the trip to London, nor did Waldemar Anton (training management) and Diant Ramaj (individual training). New to the squad: Konstantinos Karetsas, who made his debut for BVB just a few days after signing with the club.
Arsenal dominated the action from the opening whistle and could have scored early. Following a corner, Alex Meyer managed to deflect the ball over the crossbar at the last moment (2nd minute). The first goal, however, came from the other end: A lightning-fast combination involving Fabio Silva and Felix Nmecha sent Samuele Inacio deep, and he slotted the ball into the far corner with a single touch – 1–0 from Dortmund’s perspective (7th minute). A fine goal.
For Arsenal, Viktor Gyökeres was then in the spotlight several times: first with a free kick from 17 meters that he sent over the wall and the goal. Meyer also intercepted a cross from Kai Havertz intended for the Swede. More dangerous was Gyökeres’s swiveling shot in the 26th minute. In between, Maxi Beier (21st minute) and Daniel Svensson (23rd minute) each missed the Arsenal goal with headers.
BVB was still able to extend their lead after half an hour: Arsenal gave Karetsas too much space, and the new signing punished them ruthlessly. With great finesse, he curled the ball into the corner from the edge of the box with his powerful left foot to make it 2–0 – a dream goal for a perfect debut!
Arsenal pushed for a goal before halftime, but Gabriel and Havertz both headed wide (39th, 43rd). The teams headed into the locker room with a well-deserved 2-0 lead for the Black and Yellows.
Nmecha opened the second half with a shot that skimmed just over the crossbar. Arsenal responded through Ben White, whose attempt was deflected into the side netting. Ethan Nwaneri did better in the 54th minute: A cross from a central position found the Englishman, who slotted it home to make it 1–2.
Just four minutes later, BVB responded: After a corner, Silva flicked the ball on, and Gadou elegantly met it in the air and powered it into the net for a 3–1 lead (58th minute).
But the hosts pressed for another goal, forcing Dortmund goalkeeper Meyer into several saves: He dove just in time to stop Myles Lewis-Skelly (61st), and made a follow-up save against Max Dowman (63rd). He was powerless to stop the penalty kick in the 69th minute. Gyökeres shot into the right corner, while Meyer was diving the other way. The 2–3 goal was also the final score. In the closing stages, neither Arsenal nor BVB—partly due to numerous substitutions – managed to create any compelling chances.
At the request of Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta, both teams took part in a penalty shootout after the final whistle, which the English team won.
This coming Saturday, Borussia Dortmund’s first team will face AS Roma as part of the season opener and make their first appearance of the season at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK. Kickoff is at 17:30.
ARSENAL FC – BORUSSIA DORTMUND 2–3 (0–2)
Friendly
Match: Saturday, August 9, 2026, 14:00
BVB: Meyer – Gadou, Mane, Bensebaini (78’ Reggiani) – Svensson (90’+1 Yamamoto), Bellingham, Nmecha (59’ Sabitzer), Beier (59’ Prates) – Karetsas (46' Chukwuemeka), Inacio (59' Albert) – Silva (59' Guirassy)
Goals: 0–1 Inacio (7'), 0–2 Karetsas (29'), 1–2 Nwaneri (54'), 1–3 Gadou (58'), 2–3 Gyökeres (69', penalty)
Venue: Emirates Stadium
Christina Reinke
