Where to watch Arsenal vs Borussia Dortmund: Mikel Arteta hints at team news with timeline for player returns

Aug 6, 2026 - 11:45

Arsenal return to the Emirates for the first time since being crowned Premier League champions.

The Gunners continue their pre-season with the Emirates Cup, welcoming German giants Borussia Dortmund to London.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during a training session — Arteta is preparing his squad for their return to London for pre-season action where he will welcome back his captain

Mikel Arteta‘s men are just two games into their preparations for the new campaign, taking on Spanish opposition so far.

They thrashed Girona 4-1 in their opening friendly before taking on Real Betis on Wednesday, which they lost 3-1 in Dublin.

“I’m disappointed with the result,” Mikel Arteta told arsenal.com. “We are here to win football matches.

“We had some fantastic moments in the first half, the way we played, the way we opened them up. We have to score first, clearly, in the two chances that we had before the score.

“I’m very disappointed in the manner that we conceded the first goal, the two giveaways leading to the other two goals. It’s true that the finishing quality from them was exceptional, but to win a football match, you have to compete at a different level, especially in those areas of the pitch and that’s the learning from today.”

As for Dortmund, they’ve played four games already this summer, winning two and losing two of their outings.

The Bundesliga side have just returned from Japan, where they came out on top against Tokyo but lost to Cerezo Osaka.

Where to watch the match

This Emirates Cup clash will take place on Sunday, August 9.

Kick-off at the Emirates Stadium is scheduled for 2pm.

This is Arsenal’s first match back at home since their 1-0 win over Burnley in May before lifting the Premier League title on the final day of last season as champions at Selhurst Park having beaten Crystal Palace.

Arsenal players line up before playing Real Betis in Dublin — Arsenal lost their first match of pre-season friendlies when Real Betis beat them 3-1

Hector Bellerin and Reiss Nelson shake hands — Former Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin was among the familiar faces in Dublin

The Premier League trophy on display in Dublin where Arsenal played a pre-season friendly — Arsenal fans and players got a reminder of what they were preparing to defend in the coming season at the Aviva Stadium

Fans will be able to watch the action live on the Gunners’ website and app, via their Pre-Season Pass.

Supporters can sign up for full coverage of their friendlies for £14.99, while just to watch this game alone, it will cost £6.99.

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What is the Emirates Cup?

The first Emirates Cup game was played 19 years ago in 2007.

It is a friendly clash that has been played yearly in various formats to celebrate the partnership with club sponsor Emirates.

When the event was first founded, four teams competed in a group stage, with each team playing two matches each.

A general view of the outside of the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and AFC Bournemouth at Emirates Stadium on May 03, 2025 — The Emirates is hosting the Emirates Cup, the glamorous annual pre-season tournament involving Arsenal

Martin Odegaard in Arsenal training — Arsenal captain Odegaard is back training after his World Cup exploits and could play against Dortmund

Jobe Bellingham trains with Borussia Dortmund — Bellingham is following in brother Jude’s footsteps in Germany and could play against Arsenal

However, more recently, it has changed to a simple one-off tie.

Arsenal have won the Emirates Cup nine times since its creation, aiming to make it to double digits this pre-season.

Last year, the Gunners beat Athletic Bilbao 3-0 thanks to goals from Viktor Gyokeres, Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz.

What is the current team news?

Gabriel and Gabriel Martinelli should both be back to feature for Arsenal after rejoining the squad post-World Cup after playing for Brazil.

Meanwhile, Ecuador’s Piero Hincapie, who joined the club in a permanent transfer, Germany international Havertz and Sweden striker Gyokeres will continue to get minutes following their earlier return from the tournament.

A host of other big names are due back soon, too, Arteta confirmed as he attempted to offer a timeline for key names returning.

“It has been ten days away from home,” he said in reference to the pre-season tour. “So we’re looking forward to coming back, seeing some players as well.”

Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi and David Raya all won the World Cup with Spain and were given extra-time to recover, while Eberechi Eze, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka all played for England.

“Martin [Odegaard] will be back and then the English and Spanish internationals will be back soon as well. So, we’re going to start to have more and more players at the moment, we still miss a lot of them.”

Jurrien Timber remains a fitness worry in pre-season.

For Dortmund, 20-year-old England U21 international Jobe Bellingham is sure to feature, along with World Cup star Felix Nmecha in midfield.

Ex-Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka was substituted with a knock last time out, so he is a doubt.