Same issues from last season appearing once again as Arsenal slump to consecutive pre-season losses. Four things we learned.
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| Arsenal suffered back to back defeats on their return to North London |
While it was the home side who were the brighter of the two with all the possession and chances it was former Arsenal record signing Nicolas Pepe who was on the line to put the yellow submarine head with one of their first attacks of the game. That goal took the wind out of the Gunners sails a bit as the Spanish side doubled their lead with another scrappy goal as Etta Eyong was on the line to tap it in to give the Villarreal a shock two goal lead. Despite the disastrous start, the Arsenal fans remained in good spirts and were rewarded when Christian Norgaard, who was Arsenal best player of the first half, nodded in Gabriel Martinelli's corner at the back post to reduce the deficit to one before half time.
Despite heavily pushing for an equaliser in the 2nd half, it was former Spurs and Everton winger Danjuma who broke away on the counter to restore the Spanish visitors two goal advantage. Martin Odegaard did put away a penalty shortly after to make it 3-2 but Arsenal never really looked like breaking down the Villarreal defence for the equaliser.
That's consecutive pre-season losses for the Gunners now and with just one pre-season game left here's five things we learned.
1. Lots of issues from last season still haven't been rectified.
While Arsenal major gapping issue last season was the fact they had no out and out striker for the majority of the season, they still conceded far too many goals from either set pieces or transitions and this issue was once again emphasised today with all of Villarreal's goals coming from counter attacks. The high line Arsenal were playing was so easily exposed whenever Villarreal would play through Arsenal press, which in pre-season was never going to be as intense as it will be in the Premier League. Mikel Arteta and his coaching staff have to find a way to make the defence look more secure when defending on the transition, the return of Gabriel and Timber will massively help that but the defence isn't the only issue. There is still that lack of cutting edge and clinicalness from the attack, they had more than enough chances to win the game today but when you don't put away your chances you get punished like we saw numerous times last season, in the team's defence there's still players coming back to sharpness and with new additions it take time getting used to but I think all Arsenal fans watched that same game countless times last year and with only three goals in four games from open play there is really a lot of pressure on Viktor Gyokeres to hit the ground running.
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| Former Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe giving the visitors the lead |
2. Norgaard and Zubimendi will be key to Arsenal's success this year.
It wasn't an awful performance from Arsenal today but the two main positives I could pick out were how good Norgaard and Zubimendi both looked. Both had big boots to fill with the departures of Jorginho and Thomas Partey over the summer however both have come in and taken like a duck to water. Norgaard was without doubt Arsenal's best player in the first half topping his Emirates debut off with a goal while also showing the aerial presence he possess, while Zubimendi looked comfortable as ever in the 2nd half continuing his impressive start to his Arsenal career. There's no doubt any success Arsenal will have this season will hugely depend on the form of their two new arrivals.
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| Martin Zubimendi before his home debut for Arsenal |
3. Max Dowman has to be involved in Mikel Arteta's plans this season.
If it wasn't obvious already Arteta has to involve Max Dowman this season, unlike with Nwaneri and Lewis Skelly where both were eased into the first team last season, Max has proved in these four pre-season games just how ready he is to be unleashed into the first team. Once again today he was Arsenal most threating attacker after replacing Bukayo Saka in the 2nd half and won his second penalty of the tour with a lovely bit of skill in the box. The 15 year old was tormenting Alfonso Pedraza for the short period he was on. It's quite concerning on the attack when the 15 year old is looking like your most threating player but it's also a testament to Max and his confidence.
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| 15 year old Max Dowman has made a huge impression this summer |
4. The left side of attack is still a huge concern.
It's been a difficult pre-season for Gabriel Martinelli who despite getting an assist in the first half struggled on the left wing which is becoming an alarming pattern for Arsenal. With Trossard out injured and the Rodrygo links quieting down it's looking like Martinelli, Trossard and Madueke will be Arsenal left wingers for the season. The left side of the attack was such a priority position for Arsenal this summer and with names like Nico Williams, Rodrygo and Eze all linked it feels like a massive gamble having just Madueke who's primary position is on the right as your only winger signing. While everyone knows what Martinelli and Trossard are capable of, it's difficult not to feel underwhelmed if Arsenal aren't to sign another left sided attacker before the end of the window.
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