Mikel Arteta had the upbeat line ready after Arsenal's 3-2 defeat to Borussia Dortmund: “Tomorrow, finally, everybody back.” The timing matters because Arsenal have conceded six goals in their last two matches, and the contrast between returning bodies and a leaky defensive week was hard to miss. Bukayo Saka and David Raya were back early on Saturday, but the wider injury picture still limits what Arteta can choose from.

Returning players and a familiar standard

The encouraging part for Arsenal is obvious enough. They remain unbeaten in their last five competitive matches, and last season's defensive numbers were still very strong, with just 27 goals conceded across 38 Premier League matches in 2025. That is the level Arteta wants back once the squad is whole again.

The problem is the current shape of the group. [Jurrien Timber] is still weeks away from a return, while [William Saliba] is not expected back for months because of a back injury. Arteta can talk about everyone coming back, but the defence is still missing key pieces and the cushion that usually covers a bad night has thinned out.

The depth problem Dortmund exposed

The Dortmund game also showed how awkward Arsenal can look when the midfield and defence are patched together. [Myles Lewis-Skelly] was used as the holding midfielder with two more advanced No8s ahead of him, a set-up that put more pressure on the back line than Arsenal wanted.

Ben White is only just coming back from an MCL injury, Louis Copley is out and 18-year-old Theo Julienne is the right-back cover. That is a thin list for a team that finished the 2025 Premier League season with 85 points and 27 goals against. Even with the recent unbeaten run, the gap between Arsenal's usual standard and the current back-up options is clear.

Arteta's quote fits the mood around the camp, because the returning players will help. But the Dortmund defeat also sharpened the case for more defensive depth before the season starts, especially in the spots Arsenal cannot afford to leave exposed.

The next question is not whether Arsenal have enough quality at the top of the squad. It is whether the defence can stay intact long enough for the returning names to make a difference.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →