We were edged out by La Liga side Villarreal in our first home fixture of pre-season, in a game where all six of our summer signings had a run out.
Despite dominating the first-half, we found ourselves 2-0 down on the half hour. Nicolas Pepe – on his return to Emirates Stadium – scored the opener before Karl Etta Eyong doubled the advantage from close range.
We struck back instantly thanks to Christian Norgaard’s first goal since joining in the summer, but Arnaut Danjuma broke clear after the interval to restore the visitors’ two-goal lead.
Martin Odegaard netted a penalty with 15 minutes remaining, but we couldn’t force the equaliser, falling to defeat in our penultimate game before the Premier League campaign kicks off on Sunday week.
First half
We looked to dominate our opponents from the first whistle, and with Viktor Gyokeres in the starting XI for the first time, we were playing to get the ball forward quickly. The Swedish striker had his first couple of touches in the box within the opening minute, the second a pullback that just eluded Bukayo Saka. Ethan Nwaneri was in the mood early on as well, and fired wide on five minutes.
The ball had barely left the opposition half during the opening 15 minutes, so it was very much against the run of play that Villarreal took the lead. Pape Gueye struck the post with a low shot from outside the area, and it pinged back into play off the diving David Raya’s back. We failed to clear the cross back into the box and Pepe was there to capitalise on our indecision and stab home. The former Gunner – who made more than 100 appearances for us over three seasons – made a point of not celebrating his goal.
We got back on the front foot instantly. Saka had a shot saved after chopping onto his left foot in the box, before Gabriel Martinelli couldn’t generate power on his header from Ben White’s cross.
But for the second time in the half we were hit on the counter. Santiago Mourino forced a good low save from Raya, but we didn’t deal with the rebound, and Etta Eyong tapped home from close range. Within moments though we pulled one back. Martinelli’s inswinging corner floated over everyone, and found Norgaard unmarked at the far post to head home his first goal in Gunners colours.
Second half
Cristhian Mosquera and Martin Zubimendi were introduced for the second half and we started to put the Villarreal goal under more pressure. Nwaneri had a long-range free-kick saved before Gyokeres and Merino both forced saves from Luiz Junior.
Once again though Villarreal hit us on the break. This time Danjuma sprinted onto a long pass deep in our half, then struck a sweet finish inside the far post.
The game continued to be open. Mikel Arteta made full use of his substitutes’ bench and one of the second-half subs Max Dowman won the penalty to pull us back into the game. Pau Navarro brought down the 15-year-old – who was also making his first appearance for the first team at Emirates Stadium – for a spot kick with 15 minutes to go. Odegaard stepped up and stroked in from 12 yards to reduce the deficit again.
From then on Villarreal, who we could meet again this season in the Champions League, defended well to hold onto their win.
SHOOTOUT
For a bit of practice at the end of the 90 minutes and provide a bit more excitement for those in attenfance, the teams held a penalty competition, which saw the visitors also come out on top:
Moleiro scored 0-1Odegaard scored 1-1Suarez missed 1-1Rice scored 2-1Danjuma scored 2-2Merino missed 2-2Comesana scored 2-3Zinchenko scored 3-3Valou missed 3-3Gabriel saved 3-3Cabanes scored 4-3
Madueke saved 4-3
What’s next
Our final pre-season fixture is back here at Emirates Stadium on Saturday – against Athletic Club in the Emirates Cup. Then the real action starts, away to Manchester United, as we get our Premier League campaign underway on Sunday, August 17.
Remember you can watch the Emirates Cup live on Arsenal.com or the official app by purchasing your Match Pass for a special early bird price of £4.99.
