Timber still weeks away as Arsenal fall to Dortmund

Timber still weeks away, Saliba in rest mode

Jurrien Timber is not close to returning. Mikel Arteta said after Sunday's 3–2 Emirates Cup defeat to Borussia Dortmund that the Dutch defender is still "weeks away" (1). "He's on the pitch, he's doing quite a lot right now, but it's still weeks away," Arteta said. "I cannot tell you how much" (1). William Saliba is also out, dealing with a back issue that has him in what Arteta called "rest mode" (1). Your team's best defensive pairing will not be ready when the season kicks off against Coventry on August 21.

Dortmund 3–2 Arsenal, back-to-back pre-season defeats

Two losses in a row now. Dortmund beat your team 3–2 in the Emirates Cup on Sunday, with Konstantinos Karetsas, Samuele Inacio, and Joane Gadou all finding the net for the visitors (1) (3) (10). The result follows the Champions League exit to PSG and leaves Arsenal winless in two pre-season outings. The backline is a problem.

Guimaraes unveiled, Arteta calls him a 'warrior'

Bruno Guimaraes was paraded at the Emirates on Sunday after completing his reported £75m move from Newcastle (4). Arteta did not hold back. "I think he describes himself as a warrior," the manager said. "He's a warrior with tremendous qualities as well and intuition, leadership and charisma that are going to help us. That is going to really ignite something different in the team. I'm delighted to have him" (2) (4). He is set to make his debut against Como.

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Besiktas eye Gabriel Jesus for £20m

Besiktas are reportedly interested in Gabriel Jesus, with Arsenal said to want around £20m for the Brazilian forward (6). The Turkish club already signed Leandro Trossard this summer and are now back for more (6).

Paper talk: Barcola and Seys linked

Monday's gossip column has Arsenal making contact over Bradley Barcola (7) (14). Club Brugge full-back Seys is also being linked with a move to North London, with Manchester United reportedly in the race as well (6) (11).

Fan reactions

Gunners on Reddit were mostly focused on the Timber injury news, with frustration that the Dutchman is still not near a return. Arteta's hint that more signings could arrive this summer kept the mood balanced, with several fans pointing to the manager's own words that the club is "looking forward" to adding the right player. Charles Sagoe Jr also got a shoutout after scoring for Kalmar FF on loan, with four goals and nine assists in 18 games so far. Read the full thread here.

Sources

  • 1. arseblog.news — Arteta: Timber still weeks away, Saliba in “rest mode”
  • 2. espn.com — Arteta: 'Warrior' Guimarães can 'ignite' Arsenal
  • 3. fussballnationalmannschaft.net — Fußball News heute am 10.8.2026: Dortmund siegt beim Arsenal-Test, Ter Stegen debütiert
  • 4. soccernews.com — Guimaraes signing can take Arsenal to the next level, believes Arteta
  • 6. justarsenal.com — After signing Trossard, Besiktas return for Arsenal striker
  • 7. justarsenal.com — Arsenal have improved – but did Berta get the big decisions wrong?
  • 10. uk.sports.yahoo.com — Arsenal lose second successive pre-season friendly after parading Guimaraes
  • 11. news.sky.com — Papers: Man Utd and Arsenal chase Club Brugge full-back Seys
  • 14. bbc.co.uk — Villa interested in Endrick loan - Monday's gossip
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