Dortmund head to Arsenal for Emirates Cup test as Book shuts door on Nmecha move

Borussia Dortmund travel to London on Sunday, 9 August, to face Arsenal in an Emirates Cup pre-season friendly, kicking off at 2:00 p.m. UK time at the Emirates Stadium. The match will be streamed on Arsenal.com worldwide and on FanCode in India. Dortmund arrive in the middle of a busy summer. Sporting director Ole Book told bundesliga.com on 5 August that he can largely rule out a summer transfer for midfielder Felix Nmecha, while the club have reportedly been linked with PAOK attacker Giannis Konstantelias, PSG youngster Ibrahim Mbaye and a young Italian player from Genoa. Julian Ryerson and Gregor Kobel have returned to the squad after reaching the World Cup quarter-finals, according to reports. The fixture offers an early look at a Dortmund side in transition following Karim Adeyemi's departure and Yan Couto's reported move to Como. For Arsenal, reports suggest it is their first match back at the Emirates since winning the Premier League title, though they are said to be missing several players because of World Cup commitments.

Arsenal await Dortmund in Emirates Cup friendly

Borussia Dortmund travel to London on Sunday, 9 August, for a pre-season friendly against Arsenal in the Emirates Cup. Kick-off at the Emirates Stadium is set for 2:00 p.m. UK time, 3 p.m. CEST. The match will be streamed live on Arsenal.com worldwide and on FanCode in India.

According to reports, the fixture marks Arsenal's first game back at the Emirates since winning the Premier League title, adding extra significance to what would otherwise be a routine warm-up. Mikel Arteta's side are reportedly missing several players due to World Cup commitments, and their pre-season so far is said to have included wins over MK Dons and Girona alongside a defeat to Real Betis.

Dortmund, meanwhile, have welcomed back Julian Ryerson and Gregor Kobel, who reports say rejoined the squad after reaching the World Cup quarter-finals. Their return gives the German club a fuller group for the trip to north London.

Book rules out Nmecha summer exit

Felix Nmecha appears set to stay at Borussia Dortmund this summer, according to comments from sporting director Ole Book. Speaking to bundesliga.com in remarks published on 5 August 2026, Book said he could "pretty much rule out" a transfer for the midfielder before the window closes. He did not elaborate further in the available summary.

The statement directly addresses the speculation that has surrounded Nmecha's future at the club in recent weeks. Book's intervention, reported by bundesliga.com, is the clearest public signal yet from Dortmund's hierarchy that the midfielder is not for sale this summer, shutting down talk of a departure as the club prepares for the new Bundesliga campaign.

Adeyemi successor search and a youth-focused rebuild

The German club are also active in the transfer market, according to multiple reports. Kicker reports that Dortmund are weighing a move for PAOK attacker Giannis Konstantelias as they look to fill the gap left by Karim Adeyemi's departure. The timing and destination of Adeyemi's exit have not been detailed in the available reporting.

Reports also indicate Dortmund are in a strong position to sign Paris Saint-Germain youngster Ibrahim Mbaye, although other clubs are understood to be competing for his signature. Separately, reports suggest the club are pursuing a young Italian player from Genoa. That interest would fit an existing pattern: Dortmund's squad is reported to already include three young Italian players, pointing to a recruitment strategy skewed towards emerging talent.

One departure has been confirmed. Como have officially signed Yan Couto from Borussia Dortmund, though the terms of the transfer, including the fee and contract length, have not been disclosed. Whether any of the reported moves for Konstantelias, Mbaye or the Genoa youngster will be completed remains unclear.

The club behind the visitors

Borussia Dortmund were founded on 19 December 1909 in Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia, and have grown into one of Germany's most decorated clubs. The men's football team competes in the Bundesliga, the top division of German football, and has won eight German championships.

Below the first team sits Borussia Dortmund II, the club's reserve side. Known as Borussia Dortmund Amateure until 2005, the reserves play in the Regionalliga West and host their matches at Stadion Rote Erde, a venue that long served as the club's home before the modern era. The structure reflects a club with deep roots in its city and a well-established pathway for developing players.

1. 19 December 1909

   Borussia Dortmund is founded in Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia.

2. 2005

   The club's reserve side changes its name from Borussia Dortmund Amateure to Borussia Dortmund II.

3. 5 August 2026

   Sporting director Ole Book tells bundesliga.com he can largely rule out a summer transfer for midfielder Felix Nmecha.

4. before 9 August 2026

   Julian Ryerson and Gregor Kobel rejoin the Dortmund squad following their World Cup quarter-final run.

5. before 9 August 2026

   Como confirm the signing of Yan Couto from Borussia Dortmund.

6. 9 August 2026

   Arsenal host Borussia Dortmund in an Emirates Cup pre-season friendly, kicking off at 2:00 p.m. UK time (3 p.m. CEST), streamed on Arsenal.com worldwide and FanCode in India.

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