Arsenal face Borussia Dortmund at the Emirates Stadium in the 2025 Emirates Cup, with Mikel Arteta’s side looking to bounce back after a surprise friendly defeat to Real Betis.
The Gunners have an excellent record in this competition and usually perform strongly at home, but Dortmund carry enough attacking quality to make this an open contest. With both sides still building fitness, testing combinations and showing defensive uncertainty in pre-season, over 3.5 goals looks like the best betting angle.
Prediction Summary
Our prediction: Arsenal 3-1 Borussia Dortmund
Arsenal have a strong Emirates Cup record under Mikel Arteta and should respond after their 3-1 defeat to Real Betis. Dortmund have had mixed pre-season results but still possess attacking quality through Guirassy, Fabio Silva and Beier. This should be an entertaining friendly-style match, making Over 3.5 Goals the best bet.
Quick Prediction
Best Bet: Over 3.5 Goals
Market: Total Goals
Correct Score Prediction: 3-1
Confidence: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Expected Goals: Over 3.5
Both Teams To Score: Yes
📅 Date: Emirates Cup
🏟️ Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
🏆 Competition: Emirates Cup / Club Friendly
Match Preview
Arsenal return to the Emirates Cup looking to protect a competition record that has become increasingly impressive under Mikel Arteta.
The Gunners won the 2025 edition with a 3-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao, having previously beaten Lyon 2-0 in 2024, edged Monaco on penalties in 2023 and thrashed Sevilla 6-0 in 2022. Arteta has consistently taken this fixture seriously, and Arsenal have often used it to sharpen rhythm before the start of the competitive season.
That makes Sunday’s match an important response opportunity.
Arsenal’s perfect summer record ended in midweek with a 3-1 defeat to Real Betis, a match where individual errors played a major role. Before that, they had looked sharp in wins over MK Dons and Girona, both by three-goal margins.
The performance against Betis should not create major panic, but it does add interest to this betting angle.
Arsenal have enough attacking quality to bounce back quickly, especially at home. Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhães returned after Brazil’s World Cup run, while Martin Ødegaard is back in training and could make his first pre-season appearance from the bench.
There is also plenty of excitement around the potential front line.
Viktor Gyökeres is expected to lead the attack, with Martinelli providing direct threat from the left and young Max Dowman potentially involved on the right. With Kai Havertz also capable of attacking the box from midfield, Arsenal should create chances.
But Dortmund are not a passive opponent.
Niko Kovač’s side have had a mixed pre-season, winning two and losing two of their four matches. They beat Rot-Weiss Oberhausen 3-1, lost 2-1 to Fortuna Düsseldorf, then travelled to Japan where they lost 1-0 to Cerezo Osaka before beating FC Tokyo by the same scoreline.
The results have been inconsistent, but Dortmund still have a dangerous attacking profile.
Serhou Guirassy gives them a clear centre-forward presence, Fabio Silva has already scored during pre-season, and Maximilian Beier can offer pace and movement from deeper or wider areas. Even if Dortmund are not fully settled, they have enough quality to contribute.
That is why goals look more attractive than picking a straight winner.
Arsenal should win, but Dortmund can make this lively.
For more football predictions and weekend betting angles, see our latest football betting tips.
Why Over 3.5 Goals Makes Sense
Over 3.5 goals is the best angle because this match has several ingredients for an open game.
First, it is a pre-season tournament fixture. While the Emirates Cup matters more to Arsenal than a normal friendly, it is still a match where both managers can test players, rotate heavily and prioritise attacking rhythm over defensive conservatism.
Second, Arsenal should respond aggressively.
After the 3-1 defeat to Real Betis, Arteta will want a cleaner, sharper performance. At home, Arsenal are likely to press high, dominate territory and create enough chances to score multiple goals.
Third, Dortmund can contribute.
BVB may be inconsistent, but they have attacking players who can punish mistakes. Arsenal’s defeat to Betis showed that individual errors can still appear during pre-season, and Dortmund have the pace and quality to exploit any loose moments.
There is also a team-news angle.
Both sides have midfield injury concerns, which could make control slightly harder. Arsenal may be without young midfielder Louie Copley after his midweek injury, while Dortmund have doubts over Carney Chukwuemeka and are already missing Emre Can and Nico Schlotterbeck.
If the midfield areas become open, the game can stretch quickly.
Arsenal 3-1 looks like the right scoreline: a home win, Dortmund goal threat and enough attacking quality on both sides to clear the total.
- ✓Arsenal won the 2025 Emirates Cup with a 3-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao.
- ✓Arsenal beat Lyon 2-0 in 2024, Monaco on penalties in 2023 and Sevilla 6-0 in 2022.
- ✓Mikel Arteta has a perfect Emirates Cup record.
- ✓Arsenal lost 3-1 to Real Betis in their latest friendly.
- ✓Arsenal had previously won two summer friendlies by three-goal margins.
- ✓Borussia Dortmund have had a mixed pre-season with two wins and two defeats.
- ✓Dortmund beat FC Tokyo 1-0 after losing 1-0 to Cerezo Osaka.
- ✓Fabio Silva scored Dortmund’s winner against FC Tokyo.
- ✓Both teams have midfield injury concerns.
- ✓Arsenal 3-1 supports the Over 3.5 Goals betting angle.
Team News
Arsenal welcomed back Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhães against Real Betis after their involvement with Brazil at the World Cup.
Both players were introduced and later withdrawn in the second half, but those changes were planned. Martinelli could now be closer to a starting role, while Gabriel may also feature again as he builds fitness.
Martin Ødegaard has returned to training following his holiday and could make his first appearance of pre-season, most likely from the bench.
Young midfielder Louie Copley is a concern after suffering what looked like a serious injury in midweek.
Borussia Dortmund have injury issues of their own.
Carney Chukwuemeka was forced off after just 23 minutes against FC Tokyo with a knee issue, and although Niko Kovač gave a more reassuring update after the match, his availability remains uncertain.
Emre Can and Nico Schlotterbeck remain longer-term absentees due to knee injuries.
If Chukwuemeka is unavailable, 18-year-old Greek talent Konstantinos Karetsas could be in line for a debut after joining from Genk.
Players to Watch
Viktor Gyökeres
Viktor Gyökeres could be central to Arsenal’s attacking threat. His movement, physicality and ability to attack the penalty area make him a strong candidate to score if Arsenal dominate possession.
Gabriel Martinelli
Gabriel Martinelli gives Arsenal speed, directness and pressing energy from the left side. After returning to action against Real Betis, he could be important in stretching Dortmund’s back line.
Serhou Guirassy
Serhou Guirassy is Dortmund’s main centre-forward threat. If BVB are to score at the Emirates, his penalty-box presence and finishing ability could be decisive.
Fabio Silva
Fabio Silva scored the winner against FC Tokyo and should arrive with confidence. His movement and ability to link play could help Dortmund create chances in transition.
Head-to-Head
Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund were regular Champions League opponents during the early 2010s, meeting several times in high-profile European fixtures.
The most recent competitive meeting went Arsenal’s way, with the Gunners beating Dortmund 2-0 in 2014 thanks to goals from Yaya Sanogo and Alexis Sánchez.
This is a different setting, but the fixture still carries a strong European feel and should offer plenty of attacking quality.
Final Verdict
Arsenal should be favourites at the Emirates.
Arteta’s side have a superb record in the Emirates Cup and will be motivated to respond after losing to Real Betis. At home, with attacking options returning and the Community Shield approaching, the Gunners should raise their level.
But Dortmund have enough quality to make this interesting.
Their pre-season has been inconsistent, yet they still carry clear attacking threat through Guirassy, Fabio Silva and Beier. Arsenal’s defensive errors against Betis also suggest Dortmund can find at least one goal if the game opens up.
That makes the goals market more appealing than a straight Arsenal win.
The prediction is Arsenal 3-1 Borussia Dortmund, with Over 3.5 Goals the best bet.
FreeOddsTips Prediction
Arsenal 3-1 Borussia Dortmund
Best Bet: Over 3.5 Goals
Confidence: 4/5
