Arsenal suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat to Villarreal in their penultimate pre-season friendly at the Emirates Stadium on August 6, 2025. Despite dominating large portions of the game and controlling possession, Arsenal were undone by clinical finishing from the Spanish visitors and some defensive lapses.
Key Match Events and Goals
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Nicolas Pepe opened the scoring for Villarreal against his former club with a close-range finish after a defensive error by Arsenal, putting the visitors ahead early.
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Villarreal extended their lead through a powerful volley by Eyong, capitalizing on a rebound inside the box.
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Arsenal pulled one back shortly before halftime through Christian Norgaard, who scored his first Arsenal goal with a well-timed header from a set-piece delivery by Gabriel Martinelli.
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In the second half, Villarreal increased their lead to 3-1 with a quick and clinical counter-attack finished by Danjuma.
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Arsenal fought back late in the game, winning a penalty thanks to the tricky footwork of 15-year-old Max Dowman, who was fouled in the area. Captain Martin Odegaard successfully converted the spot-kick to make it 3-2.
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Despite a spirited finish, Arsenal could not find a late equalizer.
Notable Performances
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Max Dowman impressed once again with his skill and energy, winning a crucial penalty.
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Christian Norgaard showed promise with a goal and solid midfield play.
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Viktor Gyokeres made his first start for Arsenal, showing glimpses of potential but was unable to impact the scoreline.
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Villarreal’s Nicolas Pepe scored against his former club, and Danjuma’s clinical counter-attack was pivotal for the visitors.
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Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya faced pressure but made several key saves.
Tactical Overview
Arsenal dominated possession and controlled the rhythm of the game but struggled with defensive organization, especially on the counter-attack where Villarreal was highly effective. The visitors took advantage of Arsenal’s high defensive line on multiple occasions.
This defeat marks Arsenal’s second consecutive pre-season loss after their 0-1 defeat to Tottenham, leaving room for improvement ahead of the Premier League season start. Arsenal will aim to bounce back in their final pre-season match and sharpen their squad cohesion.
