Arsenal have been letting the ball slip through their defensive lines at a rate that would alarm any manager. In just three pre‑season fixtures they have been on the wrong end of seven goals, a tally that raises a serious question: could the very defensive solidity that underpinned their Premier League triumph last season be turning into a hidden vulnerability as they approach the new campaign? The upcoming Community Shield clash with Manchester City will be the first competitive test of the season, and the Gunners head into it with a noticeably thin defensive roster. Central defender William Saliba is nursing a serious back problem that is expected to keep him out for an extended spell, while Jurrien Timber remains several weeks away from full fitness.
Their absences leave a sizeable gap in a back line that has traditionally been one of the league's most reliable. Adding to the concern, Arteta's pre‑season statistics reveal a worrying trend. The team have allowed an average of 2.3 goals per game across the three friendlies played since the start of August, and six goals have been conceded in the last two matches alone. By contrast, Arsenal's defensive record in the Premier League last term was a respectable 1.4 goals per game.
In fact, it has been more than three years since the club has given up three or more goals in back‑to‑back fixtures of any kind. The results speak for themselves: - 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 designed for experimentation, for players to shake off the rust of the off‑season and gradually find rhythm as the season draws nearer.
Mistakes are expected, and sharpness typically improves as the calendar progresses. Nevertheless, the defensive frailties cannot be ignored. The squad now includes a number of returning first‑team regulars and the new signing Bruno Guimarães, who will need to be integrated quickly. Guimarães, alongside the ever‑reliable Declan Rice, is expected to provide an additional layer of protection in front of the back four.
The reality, however, was starkly displayed in the defeat to Borussia Dortmund. Even with a first‑choice back four – the best group currently available – Arsenal looked unsettled.
Gabriel returned to the starting XI, replacing Piero Hincapié at centre‑back, yet the defensive performance deteriorated rather than improved. Both Gabriel and Cristhian Mosquera were repeatedly caught out of position, leaving gaps for Dortmund’s attackers to exploit.
Saliba’s absence was felt keenly throughout the pre‑season, and his prolonged unavailability will force Arteta to rely on less experienced options. The likely line‑up for the Community Shield, after a final friendly against Como on Wednesday, will probably feature the same quartet that struggled against Dortmund, offering a clear picture of where further work is required before the season officially begins at Wembley. Any match at this stage – be it the Community Shield or a final friendly – carries weight. It provides an early opportunity to assert dominance over a direct rival.
Arteta, now the longest‑serving manager in the Premier League, will not be granted the same leeway that a newcomer such as Enzo Maresca might enjoy in his debut. This is the 353rd competitive game of Arteta’s tenure, and a loss still stings, even after six years in charge. After the Dortmund defeat, Arteta admitted the result "hurt" and highlighted the poor quality of the goals they allowed.
"We conceded some poor goals the other day, some poor goals today, in the way we competed, especially," he said, acknowledging that the team’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 shots outside the box, and two resulted from defensive set‑pieces.
Arsenal’s shape when out of possession appears disjointed, with players often out of sync and failing to maintain a compact block. The midfield is another area where the lack of cohesion is evident.
Once Rice returns to full fitness, his partnership with the assertive Guimarães and the leadership of Martin Ødegaard should help stabilise the central area. Until then, the team is vulnerable to opponents exploiting the spaces between the lines. It is also apparent that Arteta has been encouraging his creative midfielders to take more risks, perhaps at the expense of defensive discipline. Last season, Arsenal were frequently criticised for relying on set‑piece proficiency to win tight games, while their open‑play efficiency lagged behind.
This season, Arteta appears to be seeking a better balance, giving his side more freedom to create in possession while hoping to tighten the defensive structure. The transition to champion status brings added pressure to maintain high standards on both ends of the pitch. Arteta now has a deeper squad at his disposal, allowing him to rotate players without a significant drop in quality.
The recent friendlies suggest that the attacking potential is returning, with more fluid possession and increased chance creation. Starting this week, Arsenal will finally have a full complement of players as World Cup winners and England internationals rejoin the squad. Artetta’s immediate priority will be to plug the newly exposed defensive hole, a task made more difficult without Saliba’s presence. The challenge will be to reinforce the back line while preserving the attacking impetus that has become a hallmark of his philosophy.
In summary, Arsenal’s pre‑season has highlighted a surprising defensive weakness that could prove costly if not addressed swiftly. The upcoming Community Shield will serve as a litmus test for Arteta’s adjustments, and the way the manager responds will set the tone for the season ahead. The club must find a way to blend the newfound creative freedom with a more disciplined, organized defensive approach if they hope to replicate last season’s success and defend their title effectively.