Arsenal's usually rock-solid defence has sprung an unexpected leak this pre-season, according to Sky Sports. The Gunners have shipped seven goals in just three warm-up matches, a startling number for a side whose defensive discipline was central to their strong title challenge last season.
Sky Sports notes that this fragility comes at a sensitive time, with the club facing the prospect of preparing for the new Premier League campaign without William Saliba, whose defensive presence has been a cornerstone of Arsenal's setup. The suggestion is that his potential absence could expose a side still searching for its rhythm and cohesion at the back.
While pre-season form is notoriously unreliable as a predictor of what follows once competitive football begins, the pattern is enough to raise questions. Arsenal built their success on being difficult to break down, and any dip in that department would represent a shift from the identity that carried them so far last term.
With the season opener approaching, Mikel Arteta will be hoping these early defensive lapses are simply teething problems rather than a genuine warning sign.