Arsenal have new transfer priority after Dortmund defeat | OneFootball

New attackers are wanted amid links with Cristian Romero and Ezri Konsa... but Mikel Arteta has another problem

A slight smile formed on Mikel Arteta's face after Arsenal's defeat to Borussia Dortmund.

Ending his first answer in the post-match press conference, the Spaniard could not hide his relief.

"Tomorrow, finally, everybody back," Arteta said.

The Arsenal manager will be boosted by the return of his final contingent of World Cup players for the start of their pre-season.

Bukayo Saka and David Raya reported back early on Saturday. The likes of Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze and Martin Zubimendi are set to now follow them in joining up at the training ground.

That will be very welcome for Arteta with the Community Shield just a week away and the start of the Premier League season not far behind it.

Arsenal will look to quickly get their stars up to full speed, with the defeat to Dortmund another reminder of just how much they have been missed.

The Gunners were beaten 3-2 on Sunday and were alarmingly open in midfield. Time and time again, Dortmund found huge areas of space to break into.

Myles Lewis-Skelly as the holding midfielder with two more advanced No8s in front of him left Arsenal exposed, particularly with Riccardo Calafiori drifting around the pitch in his trademark fashion.

Arsenal can afford to take risks when they have players like Rice and William Saliba waiting to mop up on the cover. Without them, they looked incredible vulnerable.

Arteta's side will improve. The addition of Rice and Bruno Guimaraes to the midfield will immediately fix some of the problems seen so far in pre-season.

The goalkeeper situation will also be addressed. The standard has been fairly poor so far this summer, particularly from Kepa Arrizabalaga. There will be no such concerns when Raya is back.

However, for all the talk of pursuing Vinicius Jr and strengthening in attack, Dortmund served up another clear reminder that bolstering the defence should be as much of a transfer priority for Arsenal.

They have now conceded six goals in their last two matches.

That in itself is not necessarily a huge concern. Arsenal lost 3-2 to Villarreal in pre-season last summer - not many fans were thinking about that at the trophy parade ten months later.

Getting key players back in the starting lineup will get this Arsenal side looking a lot more like the one that won the title last season.

However, for all the midfield will be bolstered, there is every chance the back four on Sunday is the one that will start on the opening night of the Premier League season against Coventry.

Jurrien Timber is still weeks away from a return, while Saliba is not expected back for months as he rests a back injury.

Raya will be back in goal as a big boost, but Arteta does not have many options when it comes to his defence.

As it stands, Arsenal are desperately relying on Ben White to stay fit. That is never a sure thing, particularly with the 28-year-old only just coming back from an MCL injury.

Cristhian Mosquera, used at right-back towards the end of last season, is required in the centre of defence in the absence of Saliba.

It means that Louis Copley, now out with an ACL injury, and 18-year-old Theo Julienne have been the primary right-back cover so far this summer.

That is not enough, particularly for a side recruiting from a position of strength as Premier League champions.

Arsenal are looking to sign a versatile defender. Ezri Konsa is of interest, but Aston Villa's price tag of £60million does not match Arsenal's valuation.

Tottenham captain Cristian Romero has also been linked as a surprise target.

Cristian Romero and Ezri Konsa

London Standard

Arsenal, though, would surely be better served going for a genuine right-back.

The defence does look less calm without Saliba. Gabriel, having had a tough World Cup, has not been at his best in pre-season without his usual partner.

However, Arsenal are not going to be able to sign a centre-back of Saliba's quality this summer. There are very few of those around, and none that would join knowing Saliba will come back into the side on his return.

The Gunners have numbers at centre-back. Mosquera will keep growing into the role and White can slot in if required.

Timber is capable of doing so, too, and Piero Hincapie could be used in the centre of defence, even if playing on the right of the pairing would not be ideal.

At right-back, though, Arsenal are too short. One injury to White would force a particularly disruptive reshuffle.

Timber will need to be managed carefully on his return to avoid any further setbacks. Last season showed the Gunners cannot rely on keeping him and White fit.

That defensive depth needs to be improved before the end of the window as a top priority for Andrea Berta and Arsenal.

Doing so will help ensure these pre-season performances are once again nothing more than a minor footnote come the end of the campaign.