Arsenal v Borussia Dortmund LIVE: Emirates Cup team news as Odegaard and Gabriel start pre-season friendly

A sizable chunk of Arsenal’s squad (including Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke, Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi and David Raya) are still yet to return following their World Cup break but are set to do so this coming week.

As expected, the new £75m signing is not in the Arsenal squad to face Borussia Dortmund following his arrival from Newcastle on Friday. But he could be presented to the Emirates.

Martin Odegaard returns for the first time since the World Cup and captains Arsenal against Borussia Dortmund. Gabriel Magalhaes starts in defence, too, with Myles Lewis-Skelly in midfielder along with Odegaard and Kai Havertz. Viktor Gyokeres leads the line and there’s another start for new signing Christos Tzolis, as well as a start for teenager Max Dowman.

Arsenal XI: Kepa; White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori; Lewis-Skelly, Odegaard, Havertz; Dowman, Gyokeres, Tzolis

Good afternoon. Arsenal return to the Emirates for the first time since lifting the Premier League title as the Gunners step up their pre-season preparations against Borussia Dortmund in the Emirates Cup.

The Emirates Cup used to be a bit of a punchline but Arsenal’s ambitions are much higher these days as Mikel Arteta’s looks to embark on a defence of their Premier League title. Their season-opener against Coventry City is fast approaching, as is the curtain-raiser of the Community Shield against FA Cup winners Manchester City.

It’s a roasting hot afternoon and team news will be coming up shortly.