On Sunday in London, BVB faced its toughest test yet in preparation for the new season: a match against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Two 18-year-olds and one 19-year-old made the difference.
In the penultimate preseason friendly before the Super Cup clash with FC Bayern on August 22, Borussia Dortmund faced what was arguably the toughest opponent of their preseason on Sunday: They took on reigning English champions FC Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, for whom it was their third preseason match.
All eyes in Dortmund were naturally on new signing Karetsas, who started the game and had his first moment in a BVB jersey after about half an hour. The young Greek was given too much space from 16 meters out and demonstrated just how fine a left foot he possesses: The ball flew into the far corner, unstoppable for Gunners goalkeeper Kepa.
It was already the second goal by an 18-year-old that afternoon, as just seven minutes in, Nmecha had quickly found the starting Inacio, who also showed no fear of the big opponent and coolly finished to make it 1–0. No further goals were scored in the first half, which was otherwise marked by chances for the Gunners: Gyökeres (18th, 26th), Havertz (21st, 43rd), and Gabriel (39th) all had opportunities for the hosts with either their heads or feet.
Gadou Scores Too
The second half then saw a third goal from a Dortmund teenager. Following a corner, it was defender Gadou—a year older than Karetsas and Inacio—who brought the ball down and, with a bit of luck, slotted it home. It was the goal that made it 3–1 after 58 minutes of play—shortly before that, Nwaneri, who had come on for Ödegaard, had scored the hosts’ 1–2 goal off an assist from former Düsseldorf player Tzolis (54th minute).
After numerous substitutions, the friendly lost some of its rhythm; this was the phase in which BVB goalkeeper Meyer finally got a chance to make a save. He was powerless in the 69th minute when the otherwise lackluster Gyökeres converted a penalty kick—awarded after a foul by Kaua Prates on Tzolis—to make it 2–3. For a brief moment, it looked as though the Gunners were pushing for the equalizer, but it was nothing more than a flash in the pan. Dortmund held firm until the final whistle and, with this respectable victory, also secured the Emirates Cup (which has since shrunk from a four-team preseason tournament to a single final match).
So, a boost for BVB. While Dortmund hosts AS Roma next Saturday in a dress rehearsal for the start of the regular season, the Gunners will face Manchester City in the Community Shield one day later. Before that, Arsenal has one final preseason match scheduled against Como on Wednesday evening.
