Arsenal have been allowing goals at a startling pace during the summer warm‑up period, conceding seven times in just three matches. The solidity that helped them clinch the Premier League title 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 defensive resources look thin. Central defender William Saliba is out with a serious back problem that is expected to keep him sidelined for a considerable stretch, and Jurrien Timber remains several weeks away from full fitness.
Without these two key figures, Arteta’s back line is being forced to operate with a makeshift quartet that has already shown cracks. Statistically, Arsenal’s pre‑season record is unsettling.
The team has averaged 2.3 goals scored per friendly since the start of August, but it has also leaked an average of 2.3 goals per game, a figure that dwarfs the 1.4 goals per Premier League match they allowed last term. In fact, it has been more than three years since the club conceded three or more goals in back‑to‑back fixtures of any sort. The recent results underline 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 games are meant for experimentation, mistakes are expected, and players are still shaking off the rust of the off‑season. Sharpness, he will argue, improves as the season draws nearer.
Nevertheless, the defensive frailties cannot be ignored. In the loss to Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal fielded a first‑choice back four composed of the players currently available. Gabriel returned to the starting XI, replacing Piero Hincapié, but the defensive performance deteriorated rather than improved. Both Gabriel and Cristhian Mosquera were caught out of position, leaving gaps that Dortmund exploited.
Saliba’s absence was keenly felt, and his prolonged recovery will force Arteta to rely heavily on the remaining centre‑backs and the midfield shield. The upcoming friendly against Como on Wednesday should provide a clearer picture of which defensive unit will be trusted against City on Sunday. The Community Shield, while a single match, is a symbolic showdown against a direct rival and an early test of Arteta’s preparations.
As the longest‑serving Premier League manager, Arteta does not have the luxury of a debutant’s margin for error. The result will be his 353rd competitive game in charge, and any defeat still stings, even after six years at the helm. After the Dortmund defeat, Arteta admitted the loss “hurt” and highlighted that the team had allowed “some poor goals” both in that game and the one before. His comments suggest a recognition that the squad is not yet operating at the intensity level he demands.
A deeper look at the goals conceded reveals a pattern. Of the six goals let in against Real Betis and Dortmund, three came from long‑range efforts outside the box, and two resulted from defensive corners. This points to a lack of cohesion in Arsenal’s shape when out of possession, especially in the midfield‑to‑defence transition.
Midfield stability is crucial. Once Declan Rice returns to full fitness, his partnership with the newly signed Bruno Guimarães should provide a more robust shield in front of the back four. Martin Ødegaard’s leadership will also help organise the team’s pressing and positional discipline. Arteta has also been encouraging his creative core to take more risks, which may have initially compromised defensive rigidity.
Last season, Arsenal were often criticised for relying on set‑piece proficiency to win tight games, while their open‑play efficiency lagged behind. This season, with a deeper squad and more rotation options, Arteta appears to be seeking a better balance between attacking flair and defensive solidity. The recent friendlies have shown signs of progress in possession and chance creation, suggesting that the team’s offensive rhythm is improving. However, the defensive side still needs urgent attention, particularly with Saliba unavailable.
The upcoming weeks will be decisive as the full complement of World Cup‑winning and England‑capped players rejoin the squad. In summary, Arsenal’s pre‑season has exposed a potential new weakness in their defensive armoury. The coaching staff must address the out‑of‑position lapses, improve the team’s shape when out of possession, and integrate the returning stars effectively. How quickly Arteta can tighten up at the back will likely determine whether the Gunners can replicate last season’s title‑winning form or find themselves vulnerable in the early stages of the new Premier League campaign.