Arsenal have been allowing goals at a startling pace during their pre‑season schedule, conceding seven times across just three fixtures. Could the defensive solidity that was a cornerstone of their Premier League triumph last season now be turning into an unforeseen vulnerability as they approach the new campaign? 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 out with a serious back problem that is expected to keep him sidelined for a considerable period, and Jurrien Timber remains several weeks away from full fitness. This leaves Arteta with a makeshift defensive unit that has already shown cracks. Statistically, Arsenal’s pre‑season has been a nightmare in front of goal. The team have averaged 2.3 goals conceded per friendly since the start of August, and the last two matches alone have produced six goals against them – a stark contrast to the 1.4 goals per Premier League game they allowed during the title‑winning season.
In fact, it has been more than three years since Arsenal have let in three or more goals in back‑to‑back games of any sort. The results to date illustrate the problem: - 1 August: Girona 1‑4 Arsenal - 5 August: Arsenal 1‑3 Real Betis - 9 August: Arsenal 2‑3 Borussia Dortmund Arteta will undoubtedly point out the usual pre‑season caveats: these matches are meant for experimentation, players are still shaking off the rust of the off‑season, and defensive cohesion improves as the season draws nearer. He also has a number of first‑team regulars returning and the recent signing Bruno Guimarães ready to be integrated.
Guimarães, alongside Declan Rice, is expected to add a protective layer in front of the back four. Nevertheless, the defensive frailties were on full display in the loss to Dortmund on Sunday, even though a full‑strength back four was deployed.
Gabriel returned for the first time, taking over from Piero Hincapié, but the defensive unit did not tighten up; instead it appeared to unravel. Both Gabriel and Cristhian Mosquera were caught out of position, leaving gaps for the opposition to exploit.
Saliba’s absence was keenly felt, and it is probable that the same quartet will be selected for the showdown with City after a final friendly against Como on Wednesday. That match should give Arteta a clearer picture of where the team needs the most work before they step onto Wembley for the season’s opening act.
Any fixture at this stage carries weight, especially when it pits Arsenal against a direct rival. Arteta, now the longest‑serving manager in the Premier League, will not enjoy the same leeway that a newcomer like Enzo Maresca might receive in his first competitive outing. This is Arteta’s 353rd competitive match in charge, and a defeat, however minor, still stings. After the Dortmund game he admitted that the loss "hurt" and highlighted that the team had allowed "some poor goals" both in the first half and after the break, signalling that the side’s intensity was below his expectations.
A closer look at the six goals conceded to Real Betis and Dortmund reveals a pattern: three came from long‑range efforts, two were the result of defensive corners, and the overall shape of Arsenal when out of possession seemed disjointed. In midfield, the lack of cohesion is even more evident. The roles and responsibilities should stabilise once Rice returns, bolstered by Guimarães’s assertiveness and the leadership of Martin Ødegaard. It also appears that Artetta has been encouraging his creative midfielders to take more risks, perhaps at the expense of defensive rigidity.
Last season, Arsenal were often criticised for relying heavily on set‑piece proficiency to edge out tight games, while their open‑play efficiency sometimes fell short. Balancing attacking flair with defensive stability will be a key challenge as they defend their champion status. The good news is that Arsenal’s attacking play in the friendlies suggests progress.
The team has generated more chances and displayed a willingness to retain possession, which could translate into a more balanced approach once the full squad is back together. Starting this week, Arteta will have the luxury of fielding a complete roster as World Cup winners and England internationals rejoin the camp. His primary task will be to plug the newly exposed hole in the defensive armour, and he must do so without the safety net of Saliba.
The upcoming Community Shield will act as a litmus test: a solid performance could restore confidence, while another leak could signal deeper issues that need urgent attention. In any case, the Gunners must tighten up quickly if they hope to replicate the defensive resilience that underpinned their title‑winning campaign and to avoid giving rivals a foothold before the Premier League season truly begins.