LIVE: Arsenal Fight Back After Ex-Gunner Pepe’s Stunner Doubles Villarreal Lead

Arteta explains Kai Havertz absence
Mikel Arteta says Havertz ‘felt something’ in training yesterday.
The Arsenal boss hopes he’ll be fit in the next few days.

Nwaneri and Dowman impress despite Arsenal loss
Arsenal fall again in pre-season, but Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman catch the eye with strong performances. Viktor Gyokeres gets key minutes.
Noni Madueke’s penalty miss hurts, and Arsenal’s defense looks shaky on counters.
Is it just pre-season jitters or a real concern?

⚽ Villarreal win 4-3 on penalties!
By Michael Pavitt
Noni Madueke’s penalty is saved—Villarreal clinch the shootout 4-3, adding to their 3-2 match victory.

⚽ Goal! Arsenal 3-4 Villarreal
Cabanes coolly slots his penalty, putting Villarreal one step away from winning the shootout.

❌ Missed! Arsenal 3-3 Villarreal
Gabriel’s shot is pushed onto the crossbar, bounces on the line—but doesn’t cross! Shootout continues.

❌ Missed! Arsenal 3-3 Villarreal
Valou rattles the crossbar—Arsenal still have a chance to win it!

⚽ Goal! Arsenal 3-3 Villarreal
Zinchenko keeps Arsenal in it with a crucial equalizer!

⚽ Goal! Arsenal 2-3 Villarreal
Comesana hits the target, putting Villarreal ahead in the shootout.

❌ Missed! Arsenal 2-2 Villarreal
Merino’s penalty shocker — he stutters, then skies it wide of the post.

⚽ Goal! Arsenal 2-2 Villarreal
Boos ring out for ex-Spurs man Danjuma as his shot squirms past Kepa.

⚽ Goal! Arsenal 2-1 Villarreal
Declan Rice powers a penalty straight into the net—unstoppable finish!

❌ Missed! Arsenal 1-1 Villarreal
Ex-Arsenal loanee Denis Suarez rattles the post with his shot.

⚽ Goal! Arsenal 1-1 Villarreal
Odegaard coolly slots another penalty—almost a carbon copy of his earlier effort.

⚽ Goal! Arsenal 0-1 Villarreal
Kepa dives right, but Moleiro’s penalty finds the bottom left corner.

⚽ Arsenal and Villarreal head to penalties!
Both teams stay on for a shoot-out — a bit of practice for players and extra drama for the fans.

🛑 FULL TIME: Arsenal 2-3 Villarreal
In the final moments, Madueke makes an impact, cutting in from the left and delivering a dangerous cross.
Villarreal clear for a corner and hold on to secure the win.
Arsenal suffer a defeat in their latest pre-season clash.

⏳ Arsenal 2-3 Villarreal
Three minutes of added time as Arsenal push hard for an equalizer.

⏱️ Arsenal 2-3 Villarreal
Just minutes left and Arsenal are staring at back-to-back pre-season losses.
Odegaard has a go but pulls his shot wide.
Dowman gets back well to block a cross and concede a corner at the other end.

🚀Arsenal 2-3 Villarreal
Dowman causing problems! The Arsenal youngster bursts down the wing and fires in a dangerous cross — cleared at the last second. Moments later, he draws a risky tackle in the box, but it’s just enough to put it out for a corner.

🧤 Arsenal 2-3 Villarreal
Kepa called into action! Buchanan cuts inside and fires a low shot, but the Arsenal keeper gets down well to make the save. Villarreal showing real threat again.

🔁 Madueke makes his Arsenal debut! The ex-Chelsea winger comes off the bench and slots in on the left wing. Big moment for the new signing.

⏱️ Arsenal 2-3 Villarreal
Three minutes of stoppage time—Arsenal pushing hard for a late equaliser!

⏱️ Arsenal 2-3 Villarreal
Time running out for Arsenal to avoid back-to-back pre-season losses. Odegaard fires wide, and Dowman blocks well at the other end to concede a corner.

🔁 Arsenal 2-3 Villarreal
Dowman bursts down the wing once more and fizzes in another low cross. The 15-year-old is lighting up the pitch—Arsenal fans loving every minute of his cameo!

🔁 Arsenal 2-3 Villarreal
Dowman continues to impress for Arsenal! He flies down the wing, whipping in a dangerous cross that’s cleared under pressure. Moments later, he draws a tight challenge in the box—clean, but just enough to concede a corner. Electric stuff from the youngster!

🔁 Arsenal 2-3 Villarreal
Tajon Buchanan cuts inside with a slick move and fires a low shot, forcing Kepa into a sharp save. Another reminder of Villarreal’s threat on the break.

🔁 Madueke makes Arsenal debut
Noni Madueke is on for his first Arsenal appearance after joining from Chelsea. He slots in on the left wing as Arsenal push for a late equaliser.

⚽ Goal: Arsenal 2-3 Villarreal (Odegaard pen)
Odegaard calmly slots it into the bottom right corner, sending the keeper the wrong way to pull one back for Arsenal.
He immediately acknowledges Dowman, the 15-year-old who won the penalty.

🔺 PENALTY TO ARSENAL
Dowman shows brilliant footwork to draw a foul in the box — that’s his second penalty won this pre-season.
The 15-year-old continues to impress!

Arsenal 1-3 Villarreal
Right after Villarreal’s goal, Max Dowman shows his skill.
He cuts in from the right and lets fly a left-footed shot—just wide of the target.
A promising effort from the youngster!

Goal: Arsenal 1-3 Villarreal (Danjuma)
Fantastic counter-attack goal from Villarreal!

Despite having little possession in Arsenal’s half this half, Villarreal strikes again on the break.

A perfectly timed through ball sets Arnaut Danjuma free.

The former Tottenham loanee curls a shot across Kepa into the bottom left corner—unstoppable!

More headaches for Mikel Arteta as Arsenal continue to get exposed on the counter.

Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal

Fresh legs on for Arsenal! Kepa, Timber, Gabriel, Odegaard, Rice, and 15-year-old Max Dowman all step onto the pitch.

Raya, Saliba, Kiwior, Gyokeres, Saka, and Nwaneri make way.

Great to see Gabriel and Timber back from injury, ready to make an impact. Arsenal looks energized and pushing for a comeback!

Gyokeres taken off after 60 minutes

Gyokeres makes his first Emirates appearance but is subbed off on the hour mark along with several others.

Only one big chance for the forward so far.

Mikel Merino now leading the line for Arsenal.

Full update on the substitutions coming soon.

Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal

Just before the substitutions, Arsenal had three shots on goal.

Ethan Nwaneri’s long-range free kick was comfortably saved.

Gyokeres had his first big chance for Arsenal, but his shot was well stopped by Junior.

The Villarreal keeper stayed busy, also making a low save to deny Merino’s effort from the edge of the box.

Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal

The crowd rises as Gyokeres wins back possession for Arsenal, sparking a promising attack.

His through ball to Saka is intercepted, but it was strong work to regain the ball.

More substitutions are coming soon.