Arsenal have found themselves leaking goals at a rate that would alarm any manager, especially during a period that is supposed to be about fine‑tuning rather than exposing frailties. In the three friendly matches they have played so far this summer, the Gunners have been on the wrong side of the scoreline seven times.
This raises a worrying question: could the very defensive solidity that underpinned their Premier League triumph last season now be turning into a hidden vulnerability as they approach the new campaign? The upcoming Community Shield clash against Manchester City will be the first real test of Arsenal’s readiness, and the defensive line looks thinner than it should. Central defender William Saliba is currently nursing a serious back problem that is expected to keep him out for a substantial stretch of the season, while Jurrien Timber remains several weeks away from full fitness after his own injury layoff. Their absences leave a noticeable gap in the back four, and the coaching staff will have to decide whether to gamble on less experienced options or reshuffle the formation entirely.
Statistically, the pre‑season numbers are unsettling. Arsenal have averaged 2.3 goals conceded per friendly, a figure that spikes to six goals across the last two matches alone.
By contrast, during the title‑winning league campaign they allowed just 1.4 goals per game on average. It is also worth noting that it has been more than three years since Arsenal have given up three or more goals in consecutive fixtures of any kind, highlighting how unusual this defensive slide is.
A quick look at the results underlines the trend: - 1 August: Girona 1‑4 Arsenal - 5 August: Arsenal 1‑3 Real Betis - 9 August: Arsenal 2‑3 Borussia Dortmund Mikel Arteta will, of course, point out the inherent caveats of pre‑season. These matches are designed for experimentation, for players to shake off rust and gradually build match sharpness. Mistakes are expected, and the intensity is not meant to mirror the grind of a Premier League season. Nonetheless, the pattern of goals leaking through the defensive unit cannot be dismissed as mere growing‑pains.
The manager does have a number of first‑team regulars returning to training, as well as the newly signed midfielder Bruno Guimarães, who will need to be integrated quickly. Guimarães, alongside Declan Rice, is expected to provide a protective shield in front of the back line, offering an extra layer of security when the centre‑backs are out of position.
Even with a first‑choice back four – the best that is currently available – Arsenal looked porous against Dortmund on Sunday. Gabriel returned to the side, taking the place of Piero Hincapie, but the defensive performance deteriorated rather than improved. Both Gabriel and Cristhian Mosquera were caught out of position on several occasions, leaving spaces for the opposition to exploit.
Saliba’s absence was especially felt. His ability to read the game and organise the defence has been a cornerstone of Arsenal’s success, and without him the team appears disjointed.
The upcoming friendly against Como on Wednesday will likely serve as a final rehearsal before the Shield, giving Arteta a clearer picture of which areas require immediate attention. Any fixture at the start of the season – whether it is the Community Shield or a regular league game – carries weight. It offers a chance to assert dominance over a direct rival and to set the tone for the months ahead.
Arteta, now the longest‑serving manager in the Premier League, will not enjoy the same latitude that a newcomer like Enzo Maresca might have in his debut. This is his 353rd competitive match in charge, and a loss at this stage would sting, even after six years at the helm.
After the defeat to Dortmund, Arteta admitted that the loss "hurt" and highlighted that the team had allowed "poor goals" both in that match and in the previous one. His comments underline a perception that the side is not playing with the intensity he expects, especially in defensive transitions. A deeper analysis of the six goals conceded to Real Betis and Dortmund shows a pattern: three came from shots taken outside the penalty area, while two resulted from defensive corners.
This suggests that Arsenal’s shape when out of possession is out of sync, leaving gaps for opponents to exploit from distance and set‑piece situations. The midfield is another area where the lack of cohesion is evident. Once Rice returns to full fitness, his presence should help stabilise the central zone, while Guimarães adds assertiveness and Martin Ødegaard provides leadership. Until then, the team may struggle to maintain a compact shape, which in turn places additional pressure on the back line.
It is also possible that Arteta has been encouraging his creative players to take more risks, perhaps sacrificing some defensive rigidity in the process. Last season, Arsenal were frequently criticised for relying heavily on set‑piece prowess to win tight games, while their open‑play efficiency sometimes fell short. Finding the right balance between attacking flair and defensive solidity will be crucial as they defend their title.
Looking ahead, the manager now has a squad with greater depth and more options to rotate without a significant drop in quality. The challenge will be to harness that depth to improve both the defensive organisation and the overall excitement of Arsenal’s possession game. Recent friendlies have shown signs of increased creativity and chance creation, indicating that the team is moving in the right direction. When the World Cup‑winning England internationals rejoin the squad later this week, Arteta will finally have his full complement of players at his disposal.
His primary task will be to plug the newly discovered hole in the defensive armour, a task made more difficult without the insurance of Saliba’s presence. If he can tighten up the back line while maintaining the attacking impetus that has become a hallmark of his side, Arsenal could still be on course for another successful season.
In summary, the pre‑season has exposed a surprising defensive weakness for a side that was once lauded for its impermeable back line. Whether this is a temporary dip due to injuries and experimentation, or a sign of deeper structural issues, will become clearer once the competitive fixtures begin. The upcoming Community Shield will serve as an early barometer, but the true test will be how quickly Artetta can rectify the defensive lapses and restore the confidence that carried Arsenal to the summit of English football last year.