The Arsenal vs Dortmund match lived up to its promises at the Emirates Stadium. Borussia won 3-2 in a gala fixture that nearly swung in the final minutes, before claiming victory 5-4 on penalties. A result that leaves its mark on the London side in the middle of their summer preparation.
On the German side, head coach Niko Kovac praised the quality of play produced for the first two goals, a sign that Dortmund is approaching this pre-season with tactical certainties. The other highlight of the evening came from a player who previously featured in the Belgian championship: Christos Tzolis shone in the BVB shirt and scored a goal of real class. At 23, the Greek winger confirms he can make an impact at the highest European level.
For Arsenal, the picture is more mixed. Several players put in below-par performances, and defensive shortcomings were exposed for all to see. The Gunners, who will begin the Premier League season with the ambition of maintaining their status as title contenders, now have a few days to put things right before the Community Shield against Manchester City in Cardiff. This preparatory clash against Dortmund will at least have had the merit of highlighting the priority areas to address. The sporting director and Mikel Arteta have the information they need to adjust the squad before the official start of the season.
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