Arsenal have found themselves allowing goals at a worrying frequency during the summer warm‑up period, surrendering seven goals across three friendly matches. The defensive solidity that was a cornerstone of their Premier League triumph last season now appears to be turning into a surprising vulnerability as the new campaign looms.
The Gunners are set to meet Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday, yet their back line looks thin. Central defender William Saliba is sidelined with a serious back problem that is expected to keep him out for a substantial stretch of the season, and Jurrien Timber is still several weeks away from full fitness after his own injury lay‑off.
Compounding the issue, Mikel Arteta’s pre‑season preparations have hit a snag. Arsenal have conceded an average of 2.3 goals per game in the three friendlies played since the start of August – six goals in the last two fixtures – a rate that starkly exceeds the 1.4 goals per league match they allowed during their title‑winning campaign.
In fact, it has been more than three years since Arsenal have given up three or more goals in consecutive matches of any kind. The results to date are: - 1 August: Girona 1–4 Arsenal - 5 August: Arsenal 1–3 Real Betis - 9 August: Arsenal 2–3 Borussia Dortmund Arteta will undoubtedly point to the usual pre‑season caveats. Summer fixtures are designed for experimentation, for players to shake off rust and gradually move from a testing phase into a more fluid, match‑ready state. Defensive sharpness typically improves as the season progresses.
Nevertheless, the numbers are hard to ignore. The squad now has a number of first‑team regulars returning from injury, plus the newly signed midfielder Bruno Guimarães, who will need to be integrated quickly. Guimarães, alongside Declan Rice, is expected to provide an extra layer of protection in front of the back four. Despite fielding what should be a first‑choice defensive quartet – with Gabriel making his first appearance to replace Piero Hincapié – Arsenal’s back line actually looked worse in the 3‑2 loss to Dortmund.
Both Gabriel and Cristhian Mosquera were caught out of position, exposing gaps that the opposition exploited. Saliba’s absence was felt keenly, and it is likely that the same four defenders will be chosen for the showdown with City after a final friendly against Como on Wednesday. That match should give Arteta a clearer picture of where the defensive unit needs the most work before the Wembley curtain rises on the season.
Any match at this stage, whether the Community Shield or a later league game, carries significance. It offers Arteta a chance to assert his ideas against a direct rival.
As the Premier League’s longest‑serving manager, Arteta will not be granted the same leeway as a newcomer like Enzo Maresca might enjoy in his first official appearance. This will be his 353rd competitive game in charge, and a loss still stings deeply, even after six years at the helm. After the Dortmund defeat, Arteta admitted the result “hurt” and highlighted that Arsenal had allowed “some poor goals” in both recent outings, reflecting a level of intensity below his expectations.
The defensive lapses are perhaps more glaring than they first appear. Of the six goals conceded to Betis and Dortmund, three came from long‑range efforts, and two resulted from set‑piece situations, indicating a lack of cohesion when the team is out of possession. In midfield, the picture is equally concerning. The roles and responsibilities of the central players should start to stabilise once Rice returns, supported by Guimarães’s assertiveness and Martin Ødegaard’s leadership.
Arteta has been encouraging his creative midfielders to take more risks, which may have come at the expense of defensive organisation. Last season, Arsenal were often criticised for relying heavily on set‑piece proficiency to edge tight games, while their open‑play efficiency sometimes fell short. This season, Arteta appears to be rebalancing that equation, aiming for a more dynamic, possession‑based approach while still maintaining defensive resilience.
The upcoming weeks will be crucial. Arsenal will have the full complement of World Cup winners and England internationals back in training, giving Arteta the chance to address the newly exposed chink in the defensive armour without the safety net of Saliba.
The challenge will be to tighten the back line while preserving the attractive, attacking football that fans have come to expect. If the Gunners can tighten up their shape, improve communication among the defenders, and integrate the returning players effectively, the early pre‑season scares could simply be a blip on the road to another successful campaign.
However, if the issues persist, they may need to reassess tactics, perhaps adding more defensive cover or adjusting the midfield’s positioning to shield the defence more robustly. The community shield will provide the first real test of whether Arteta’s adjustments have taken hold and whether Arsenal can translate their attacking flair into a more balanced, hard‑to‑break side as they embark on the new season.