Arsenal XI vs Dortmund: Guimaraes set for debut but not starting

Bruno Guimaraes is expected to be with the Arsenal squad today, but a debut is unlikely against Borussia Dortmund in the Emirates Cup clash.

Guimaraes set for parade

The Gunners announced the signing of the Brazil midfielder on Saturday in a deal worth £75million, to finally bring the summer saga to a close. Guimaraes should be paraded in front of supporters before kick-off at the Emirates Stadium.

Guimaraes is still short of fitness after joining up with the Newcastle squad on Monday for their training camp in Spain, as he was given a mandatory three-week break following his involvement for Brazil at the World Cup.

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Odegaard returns

Arsenal, though, are boosted by the return of captain Martin Odegaard after his post-World Cup holiday. With Mikel Arteta opting to slowly ease his World Cup stars back into action, Odegaard could get the same treatment as Kai Havertz, Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel by playing 30 minutes in his first Gunners appearance of the summer.

Ethan Nwaneri should get another chance to impress in midfield alongside Havertz and Myles Lewis-Skelly, as the Gunners boss sticks largely with the same side that were well-beaten by Real Betis in midweek.

Defensive concerns

This is mainly down to the fact that Arteta does not have much room to rotate in defence, as Jurrien Timber remains a doubt and William Saliba is sidelined with a long-term back injury.

Gabriel is set to start, partnering Cristhian Mosquera as the Arsenal manager gets a first look at the defensive pairing that is likely to begin the season against Coventry in less than two weeks.

Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Mikel Merino and David Raya are due back imminently from their World Cup breaks, but will not feature against Dortmund.