Nicolas Pepe inspires Villarreal win against Arsenal on his return | OneFootball

With just a few days remaining before the start of the new season, Arsenal approached their pre-season fixture against Villarreal with serious intent. It was a crucial opportunity to fine-tune tactics, test squad depth, and build confidence. As expected, the Gunners began as the more dominant side, controlling possession and dictating the early tempo of the game.

This season carries heightened expectations for Mikel Arteta’s side, with many anticipating a genuine title challenge. However, dominance alone is not enough at this level. Ruthlessness in front of the goal will be essential if Arsenal are to turn performances into trophies. Unfortunately for them, it was Villarreal who took the lead against the run of play.

Villarreal Strike First in Surprising Fashion

The opening goal came from a familiar name, Nicolas Pepe. Yes, the same former Arsenal man who once wore the red and white. His strike stunned the home crowd and offered a reminder of how quickly matches can turn. Arsenal continued to push forward in search of an equaliser, but before they could respond, Etta Eyong doubled Villarreal’s lead, catching the defence out once more.

The Gunners did not allow the setback to overwhelm them. Christian Norgaard pulled one back almost immediately, injecting new energy into the side. The momentum seemed to shift briefly, but after both teams made several changes, with Villarreal making six substitutions at the break, it was the Spanish visitors who found the net again, restoring their two-goal advantage.

(Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)

Dowman Brings Life Late On

Though the result was not ideal, the latter stages of the match gave Arsenal fans something to cheer. Young Max Dowman impressed after coming off the bench, injecting pace and purpose into Arsenal’s attack. His sharp movement and direct approach led to a penalty, which Martin Odegaard calmly converted to bring the score to 3–2.

Dowman, Odegaard and Noni Madueke were lively in the final minutes, constantly troubling the Villarreal defence and creating several openings. Despite the improved pressure, the equaliser never came, and Villarreal held on for the win.

This was not the performance Arsenal supporters had envisioned so close to the new season. However, there were promising signs, especially from the younger players, and Arteta will no doubt take both the positives and lessons into the campaign ahead.