Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Arsenal are searching for a new defender after Borussia Dortmund beat Arsenal 3-2 in the Emirates Cup final at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, 9 August 2026, with William Saliba and Jurriën Timber still recovering from injuries.

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The defeat exposed some of the defensive uncertainty surrounding Arteta’s squad just days before competitive football returns, although the Arsenal manager insisted the responsibility for improving at the back belongs to the whole team.

“We conceded some poor goals today in the way we competed, especially. But that’s a very collective responsibility,” Arteta said.

The Arsenal boss was then asked directly whether the club intended to strengthen its defence in the transfer market.

“That’s what we’re trying to do. It has to be the right player in the market to make us much better.

We are very much looking forward to that,” Arteta said.

The admission adds urgency to Arsenal’s search for defensive cover, particularly with Saliba currently in what Arteta described as “rest mode” following an aggravated injury.

Arteta said Saliba would spend around two weeks doing almost nothing while the injury heals, meaning the French centre-back is unlikely to return immediately.

“William Saliba is in rest mode at the moment for two weeks. He had to do almost nothing, an aggravated injury, so it’s going to take some time to heal,” Arteta said.

Timber’s recovery is progressing, but the Dutch defender is also not expected back imminently.

“Jurrien is progressing really well. He’s on the pitch, he’s doing quite a lot right now, but it’s still weeks away,” Arteta said.

The absence of the two defenders is particularly significant for an Arsenal side preparing for another demanding Premier League campaign.

Current reporting indicates that Arsenal are actively exploring defensive options, with Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa among the players linked with a possible move, although Villa’s reported £60 million valuation has complicated discussions.

Arteta acknowledged that Arsenal have previously felt the impact of losing important defenders to injury.

“Yes, we have experienced that in the past, unfortunately. And when he’s been available, he’s hit home and the stats are incredible,” Arteta said of Saliba.

The manager was nevertheless reluctant to allow the Dortmund defeat to overshadow Arsenal’s wider pre-season preparations.

Arteta pointed to several positive aspects of the performance and suggested the result could have been different had Arsenal taken more of their opportunities.

“There were so many other positive things. It could have been a very different result, to be fair. And I don’t want to lose sight of that,” he said.

At the same time, Arteta admitted that losing should have an emotional impact on his players.

“But losing has to create pain. That’s inevitable,” he said.

The defeat also provided an early glimpse of Arsenal’s squad-building priorities.

The club has already strengthened its midfield with the arrival of Bruno Guimarães, and Arteta was particularly enthusiastic about the Brazilian’s mentality and versatility.

“I’m delighted to have him,” Arteta said, praising the midfielder’s energy, hunger and desire to help Arsenal move to another level.

Arteta believes Guimarães can contribute in several areas, including ball recovery, progressive passing, creativity and goalscoring.

The midfielder’s arrival is therefore part of a broader attempt to give Arsenal greater depth and personality as the club prepares for another season competing for major honours.

For now, however, the defensive situation remains the immediate concern.

With Saliba resting and Timber still weeks away from returning, Arsenal’s need for another reliable option at the back has become increasingly clear.

The Dortmund defeat may have been a pre-season fixture, but it has given Arteta and the club a timely reminder of the importance of defensive depth.

Arsenal still have time to strengthen before the season gets fully underway, and Arteta’s comments suggest the club will remain active in the market rather than rush into a signing simply for the sake of adding another player.