The report says Mikel Arteta will be without a cluster of players whose national teams reached the latter stages of the World Cup.
The same update also says William Saliba is out with a back issue. That matters. Even in preseason, Arsenal’s structure changes when one of their first-choice defenders is missing and several midfield leaders are absent at the same time.
There is, however, one clear boost: Martin Odegaard has reportedly returned to training after international duty with Norway. If he is involved, even briefly, Arsenal regain rhythm and control between the lines.
Arsenal’s early summer work has reportedly included wins over MK Dons and Girona, followed by a 3-1 defeat to Real Betis. That sequence fits the usual pattern of preseason: encouraging attacking passages, then a sterner lesson when rotations bite.
Dortmund’s run sounds similarly mixed.
That gives this fixture value beyond the trophy label. Both teams appear to need sharper balance as much as sharper fitness.
The report says Nico Schlotterbeck and Emre Can are unavailable through injury, but Serhou Guirassy, Waldemar Anton and Felix Nmecha have featured in recent friendlies and are available. It also suggests Dortmund’s squad has changed, with several familiar faces having moved on, which could open the door for younger options such as Mathis Albert.
For Arsenal, that makes Sunday a useful read on the second line of the squad. For Dortmund, it is another chance to define a new attacking and midfield hierarchy. The next thing to watch is simple: who looks closest to full speed before the final stretch of preseason.