Mikel Arteta’s team has once again fallen in a preseason game as Arsenal lost 3-2 to Villareal in the first of the 2025 Emirates Cup at the Emirates stadium. Softfootball had watched on as the Gunners and the Yellow Submarines went into a 5 goal battle that ended in favour of the Spanish side.
Arteta had fielded a strong eleven which saw Gyokeres earn his first full debut for the side. David Raya, William Saliba, Christian Norgaard , Bukayo Saka were all in the starting line up for the Arsenal.
Arteta’s men were facing their ex-player in Nicolas Pepe who is now a Yellow Submarine. He landed the first blow against his former home in the 17th minute as Villareal started the brightest of the two sides. Etta Eyong doubled the Spaniards’ tally as they were dominating their host.
Norgaard pulled one back for the Gunners to score his first goal for them and end the half respectable. Villareal resumed where they finished in the second half by another goal via an Arnaut Danjuma goal. Martin Odegaard scored Arsenal’s second via a penalty but was not enough to inspire the Gunners’ come back.
While Gyokeres started his first game and the second time he is playing as a Gunner, Noni Madueke made his debut as a substitute as he came on for Gabriel Martinelli in the 77th minute. Madueke was not part of Arsenal’s Asia tour as he was on extended holidays due to participation in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Watch Noni Madueke in the warm-ups before the game as posted on Arsenal’s verified official X handle
Both Gyokeres and Madueke could not inspire the Gunners who were playing in front of their home fans. The Gunners will go ahead to lose the penalty shoot-out as well as Villareal won 4-3.
Gabriel and Merino missed their own takes and handed advantage to Villareal. Despite the losses, Arsenal fans will be happy to have both Jurrien Timber and Gabriel Magalhaes back. Both players did not feature in the Asia tour as Arteta confirmed they were only coming back from surgery.
The North Londoners will play Athletic Bilbao next before they open the Premier League season with a visit to Old Trafford.
