Amid clubs’ preparations for the new season, Arsenal were beaten at home by Borussia Dortmund in the Emirates Cup, with the German side putting up a strong fight and scoring three goals to overcome Mikel Arteta’s team. It is certainly too early to draw any conclusions, but both sides clearly still have plenty to work on.The match got off to a dramatic start right in the 2nd minute, when Arsenal nearly took an early lead. Following a corner kick, the ball dropped into the six-yard box where Dortmund's Mane accidentally touched it towards his own net, but goalkeeper Meyer reacted brilliantly to prevent an own goal.Despite Arsenal's early scare, Borussia Dortmund quickly shifted the momentum and applied heavy pressure on the hosts' half. Their efforts paid off in the 7th minute with the opening goal of the game. Nmecha delivered a superb ball into the penalty area, finding Inacio in the right place at the right time for an easy finish past Kepa Arrizabalaga, giving the German side a 1-0 lead.🚨 Samuele Inacio scores for BVB against Gooners🏴 Arsenal 0-1 Borussia Dortmund 🇩🇪pic.twitter.com/wm6Gc1farc— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) August 9, 2026 Conceding sparked a stronger response from the English side. In the 18th minute, Gyokeres had a chance from a free-kick, but his effort sailed over the crossbar. Dortmund remained the more concrete threat in attack, creating several chances through direct crosses from the flanks, though most of these flew wide of the target.Arsenal came agonizingly close to equalizing in the 26th minute. Max Dowman made a brilliant run down the right side and cut the ball back to Gyokeres. The Swedish striker set himself up and unleashed a shot, but it rattled off the crossbar and went out for a goal kick.Just as Arsenal was pushing for an equalizer, Dortmund struck again in spectacular fashion in the 29th minute. The German side launched a phenomenal counter-attack led by Karetsas, who drove forward to the edge of the 16-yard box before curling a stunning shot into the far corner to double Dortmund's lead to 2-0.🚨 Konstantinos Karetsas scores. Arsenal have concede second goal against Dortmund🏴 Arsenal 0-2 Borussia Dortmund 🇩🇪pic.twitter.com/3SPXFLVNTl— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) August 9, 2026 As the half drew to a close, Arsenal tried to find a lifeline through set pieces. In the 39th minute, Gabriel rose to meet a free-kick delivery with a header, but his attempt went over the bar. Another promising opportunity came in the 43rd minute when Tzolis floated a free-kick into the box. Kai Havertz found himself completely unmarked, but his header went straight into the hands of the goalkeeper.The second half started with immediate high drama in the 47th minute, as Borussia Dortmund nearly made it three. Nmecha was teed up nicely on the edge of the box and unleashed a curling effort that went just over the crossbar, leaving goalkeeper Meslier very worried.##EDITORS_CHOICE##Arsenal quickly responded in the 49th minute with a great chance for Ben White. Dowman, continuing his stellar performance from the first half, played a brilliant ball to set up White down the right side, but goalkeeper Meyer managed to block the attempt and turn it out for a corner.The Gunners' pressure finally paid off in the 53rd minute with a well-earned goal. Tzolis and Nwaneri combined for a fantastic team move down the left flank. Tzolis broke through the defense and delivered a precise ball into the penalty area, where Nwaneri was waiting to tap it into the back of the net, narrowing the deficit.🚩 Live: Arsenal 1-2 Dortmund ⚽️ Goal: Nwaneri (55’)🎯 Tzolis pic.twitter.com/W7Mq297Enf https://t.co/DjQUFbbocz— Goal Raider (@GoalRaider) August 9, 2026 However, Dortmund quickly restored their two-goal cushion in the 58th minute. Following a corner kick, absolute chaos ensued inside the Arsenal penalty area. Silva managed a shot from a tight angle that struck the post, and the rebound fell kindly to Gadou, who bundled it past the Arsenal defenders to make it 3-1 for the German side.🚩 Live: Arsenal 1-3 Dortmund ⚽️ Goal: Gadou (58’) pic.twitter.com/GRRnlPP3uz https://t.co/2msHeBz2FT— Goal Raider (@GoalRaider) August 9, 2026 Arsenal refused to back down and found another breakthrough in the 68th minute. Tzolis, crowning a brilliant performance as one of Arsenal's newest signings, made a dazzling run through the Dortmund defense.Prates stuck out a leg and brought him down inside the box, prompting the referee to immediately point to the penalty spot. Gyokeres stepped up, expertly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way, and successfully reduced Dortmund's lead to 3-2.🚩 Live: Arsenal 2-3 Dortmund ⚽️ Goal: Gyokeres (69’) pic.twitter.com/Ag44fVqEHc https://t.co/MxhUXrG7Rk— Goal Raider (@GoalRaider) August 9, 2026 As the match entered its final phase, the heavy intensity and fast pace from earlier began to drop. Arsenal pushed forward in a few more attempts to find an equalizer, but the Borussia Dortmund defense held firm. When the final whistle blew, the score remained 3-2 in favor of the German side, sealing a hard-fought victory in this exciting friendly encounter.##NAJAVA_MECA_9883804##