Arsenal vs Villarreal LIVE
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal fell to a 3-2 defeat on return to the Emirates on Wednesday - their second successive loss after they beaten by Tottenham last time out in Hong Kong. Villarreal, who came into the match winless through four summer friendlies, scored all three of their goals against the run of play. The Gunners were quick out of the gates, and applied sustained pressure throughout the affair, but struggled to hit the target in the first half.
Who else but Nicolas Pepe to open the scoring, then, as the former Arsenal man tapped a loose ball home after the Gunners failed to clear it away. The hosts’ deficit was soon doubled in similar fashion, as a David Raya save was deflected awkwardly into the path of Edouard Eyong, who headed home. Christian Norgaard emulated his feat shortly after, scoring his first Arsenal goal to keep the scoreline respectable at the break.
But the second half saw much of the same - Arsenal dictated play, but could not sink the Yellow Submarine. Arnaut Danjuma scored on the break with one of the visitors’ few second-half chances to secure Villarreal’s win, despite Martin Odegaard’s late penalty. Catch up on the action as it happened below!
Arsenal vs Villarreal latest news
- GOAL! Odegaard from the spot
- GOAL! Danjuma extends visitors' lead
- GOAL! Norgaard pulls one back
- GOAL! Eyong makes it two
- GOAL! Pepe opens scoring
- KICK OFF
- How to watch: Arsenal app and website
Simon Collings player ratings
20:46 , Arthur FerridgeMiss today’s match? Simon Collings was on location at the Emirates to rate the Arsenal players’ performances.
See what he made of Gyokeres' full debut, Madueke’s cameo, and Gabriel’s injury return.
SHOOTOUT: Arsenal 3-4 Villarreal
20:05 , Arthur FerridgeMadueke’s pen is saved to hand Villarreal victory in the shootout.
SHOOTOUT: Arsenal 3-4 Villarreal
20:04 , Arthur FerridgeCabanes hits a sweet pen into the top right corner.
SHOOTOUT: Arsenal 3-3 Villarreal
20:03 , Arthur FerridgeThat is absolutely stunning. Gabriel’s pen is tipped onto the bar, and his shot comes down to rest on the goalline. Remarkable.
SHOOTOUT: Arsenal 3-3 Villarreal
20:02 , Arthur FerridgeValou rattles the underside of the bar, and Arsenal have an opportunity...
SHOOTOUT: Arsenal 3-3 Villarreal
20:02 , Arthur FerridgeZinchenko sends the keeper the wrong way.
SHOOTOUT: Arsenal 2-3 Villarreal
20:01 , Arthur FerridgeComesana puts Villarreal back in front.
SHOOTOUT: Arsenal 2-2 Villarreal
20:00 , Arthur FerridgeA howler as Merino scuffs his spot-kick wide.
SHOOTOUT: Arsenal 2-2 Villarreal
20:00 , Arthur FerridgeDanjuma, loudly booed for his Spurs affiliation as he walks up, scores again.
SHOOTOUT: Arsenal 2-1 Villarreal
19:59 , Arthur FerridgeRice scores with aplomb.
SHOOTOUT: Arsenal 1-1 Villarreal
19:58 , Arthur FerridgeKepa saves from Suarez!
SHOOTOUT: Arsenal 1-1 Villarreal
19:57 , Arthur FerridgeOdegaard scores his second pen of the day.
SHOOTOUT: Arsenal 0-1 Villarreal
19:57 , Arthur FerridgeArsenal will look to get their own back in a novelty penalty shootout. Moleiro scores the opener.
FULL TIME: Arsenal 2-3 Villarreal
19:52 , Arthur FerridgeThe Gunners taste defeat on return to the Emirates.
Arsenal 2-3 Villarreal
19:48 , Arthur Ferridge90mins: Three added minutes. Can the Gunners find an equaliser?
Arsenal 2-3 Villarreal
19:45 , Arthur Ferridge88mins: Odegaard shoots from range, but his effort is well wide.
Arsenal 2-3 Villarreal
19:45 , Arthur Ferridge87mins: This will be a tough one to take for Arsenal if they can’t find an equaliser. They’ll be frustrated to come away with a loss having dominated possession and created far more chances.
Arsenal 2-3 Villarreal
19:43 , Arthur Ferridge85mins: The corner comes in and Mosquera makes a clumsy tackle to end Arsenal’s scoring chances.
Arsenal 2-3 Villarreal
19:42 , Arthur Ferridge85mins: Dowman breaks to the byline, but his cross is parried by Junior, who has been impressive between the sticks. He gets back on the ball and comes again, but can only win a corner.
Arsenal 2-3 Villarreal
19:40 , Arthur Ferridge82mins: Buchanan goes close to adding a fourth for Villarreal, but this time Kepa is equal to it.
Arsenal 2-3 Villarreal
19:38 , Arthur Ferridge80mins: Arsenal seem to have very little interest in losing this match. They are really battling for an equaliser.
Arsenal 2-3 Villarreal
19:35 , Arthur Ferridge77mins: Following the pen, Noni Madueke is introduced for his Arsenal debut. A healthy cheer goes up from the crowd as he takes his first touches.
GOAL! Arsenal 2-3 Villarreal
19:33 , Arthur Ferridge76mins: Odegaard dispatches the pen, and Arsenal are within one.
PENALTY! Arsenal 1-3 Villarreal
19:32 , Arthur Ferridge75mins: Dowman is brought down in the area, and the referee points to the spot!
Arsenal 1-3 Villarreal
19:31 , Arthur Ferridge73mins: It would take something pretty special for Arsenal to take a win from this match, now. They are still heaping pressure on the Yellow Submarine, who are holding firm.
Arsenal 1-3 Villarreal
19:27 , Arthur Ferridge69mins: Dowman cuts in off the right and shoots from outside the box but misses wide.
GOAL! Arsenal 1-3 Villarreal
19:26 , Arthur Ferridge68mins: An absolute suckerpunch for the Gunners. Villarreal counter like lightning, and Arnaut Danjuma hits a tidy finish across goal to confound Kepa.
Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
19:25 , Arthur Ferridge67mins: Martinelli counters alone and plays a cross to Dowman, who is digging hard to catch up. The ball is cleared away for an Arsenal throw, though.
Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
19:24 , Arthur Ferridge66mins: Merino looks to flick Dowman’s cross home, but Junior, again, is not overly challenged by his effort.
Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
19:22 , Arthur Ferridge65mins: Merino is now sitting at striker.
Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
19:22 , Arthur Ferridge64mins: Seems a shame to see Gyokeres withdrawn. He seemed to be growing into this affair.
Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
19:21 , Arthur Ferridge62mins: Several subs on the cards here.
For Arsenal, Arrizabalaga, Gabriel, Timber, Rice, Dowman, and Odegaard replace Gyokeres, Saliba, Raya, Nwaneri, Kiwior, and Saka.
Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
19:18 , Arthur Ferridge60mins: Gyokeres has a shot on goal, and he hits it well from a tight angle, but Junior denies him. Merino follows up and is similarly denied.
Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
19:17 , Arthur Ferridge59mins: Nwaneri takes a free kick from range, but Junior sees it all the way and has no issue saving it.
Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
19:16 , Arthur Ferridge58mins: Gyokeres dribbles at goal and tries to dink a through-ball in for Saka, but his effort is cut out.
Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
19:15 , Arthur Ferridge57mins: This match has grown rather scrappy in the second half. Lots of tackles flying around, and a good bit of needle.
Simon Collings at the Emirates
19:14 , Arthur FerridgeInteresting to see Mosquera on at right-back. He played there at times for Valencia and his versatility was one of the reasons Arsenal signed him.
Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
19:13 , Arthur Ferridge55mins: Arsenal win the ball on the halfway line and Martinelli goes through the gears as he turns to goal, but he is tripped up cynically by Pape Gueye, who is booked for his troubles.
Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
19:11 , Arthur Ferridge54mins: Mosquera leaves a foot in as he tackles Cardona, who looks to be in a fair bit of pain.
Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
19:09 , Arthur Ferridge52mins: No change to the direction of play after four substitutions. Arsenal are still enjoying the bulk of possession.
Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
19:07 , Arthur Ferridge50mins: Lewis-Skelly is tripped up about 30 yards from goal and Arsenal take the free-kick quickly. Nwaneri gets a cross off in the ensuing attack, but Junior parries it away.
Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
19:06 , Arthur Ferridge48mins: Villarreal also made changes at half, adding Santi Comesana and Tajon Buchanan in place of Gerard Moreno and Dani Parejo.
Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
19:05 , Arthur Ferridge47mins: Martin Zubimendi has scored 20% of his career goals against Villarreal. It's only two out of ten, but even still, it must count for something, right?
2ND HALF: Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
19:03 , Arthur FerridgeBack underway for the second half, and it looks like Cristhian Mosquera is on!
He comes on alongside Martin Zubimendi in place of White and the goalscorer Norgaard.
HALF TIME: Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
18:47 , Arthur FerridgeThe Gunners trail at the break.
Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
18:46 , Arthur Ferridge45mins: Martinelli goes down in the box, but the referee is uninterested in his appeals.
Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
18:45 , Arthur Ferridge44mins: Gyokeres is brought down clumsily by Foyth, but no foul given.
Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
18:44 , Arthur Ferridge43mins: Pepe faces up to Lewis-Skelly and turns him inside out, but the Arsenal man recovers well to get in the way of his shot.
Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
18:42 , Arthur Ferridge41mins: Saliba lofts one up to Saka, but Marin cuts it out.
Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
18:40 , Arthur Ferridge39mins: There is, you feel, potential for Arsenal to equalise before the break.
Simon Collings at the Emirates
18:39 , Arthur FerridgeNew season, same Arsenal - a lovely set-piece goal.
GOAL! Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
18:37 , Arthur Ferridge36mins: Some hope for the hosts. Norgaard heads home from Martinelli’s corner to pull one back for Arsenal!
Arsenal 0-2 Villarreal
18:37 , Arthur Ferridge36mins: Reminder that Villarreal are winless in four pre-season matches this summer.
GOAL! Arsenal 0-2 Villarreal
18:35 , Arthur Ferridge33mins: The visitors double their lead! Its unbelievable! It is another clumsy one as Cardona’s shot is well saved by Raya, but Eyong is there unmarked to tap home.
Arsenal 0-1 Villarreal
18:32 , Arthur Ferridge32mins: The free kick is played short to Saka. His pass inside is cut out and bobbles to Norgaard, whose shot goes out for a throw-in.
Simon Collings at the Emirates
18:32 , Arthur FerridgeBeen a few times now where Gyokeres has made runs - and hasn't got the ball. Going to take time for Arsenal to get used to hitting a striker early that likes to run in behind.
Arsenal 0-1 Villarreal
18:31 , Arthur Ferridge30mins: Gyokeres wins a foul from Foyth, about 35 yards from goal.
Arsenal 0-1 Villarreal
18:30 , Arthur Ferridge29mins: If it wasn’t already clear from these updates, Villarreal are very much under the cosh again after enjoying a brief resurgence following the goal.
Arsenal 0-1 Villarreal
18:29 , Arthur Ferridge28mins: Sweet move from the Gunners as Saka feeds White in behind on the overlap. His cross to Merino is on target, but the same cannot be said of the Spaniard’s shot.
Arsenal 0-1 Villarreal
18:27 , Arthur Ferridge26mins: Pepe looks to be feeling himself after that poached goal. He switches play to Cardona, whose cross is put behind by Saliba for a Villarreal corner, which Gyokeres clears.
Arsenal 0-1 Villarreal
18:26 , Arthur Ferridge25mins: Arsenal are heaping the pressure on here. Merino mixes a cross after winning the ball high and Martinelli attempts an overhead kick. Swing and a miss.
Arsenal 0-1 Villarreal
18:25 , Arthur Ferridge23mins: Saka cuts inside off the right and shoots from the corner of the six-yard box, but Junior gets down quickly to deny him.
Arsenal 0-1 Villarreal
18:23 , Arthur Ferridge22mins: Nwaneri puts his free-kick into the box, but Foyth is first to it.
Arsenal 0-1 Villarreal
18:22 , Arthur Ferridge21mins: Nwaneri nutmegs Cardona and breaks at goal, but the Villarreal full-back gets his own back with a trip from behind.
Arsenal 0-1 Villarreal
18:21 , Arthur Ferridge19mins: Pepe is chasing a second but Lewis-Skelly tracks back and draws a foul to halt his progress.
Simon Collings at the Emirates
18:20 , Arthur FerridgeOf course, it is Nicolas Pepe who scores. Villarreal somehow ahead after being under pressure for much of the game.
GOAL! Arsenal 0-1 Villarreal
18:17 , Arthur Ferridge16mins: Talk about against the run of play - Villarreal open the scoring! And who else but Nicolas Pepe...
Simon Collings at the Emirates
18:16 , Arthur FerridgeYou can feel and hear anytime a cross goes in how much the fans are desperate for Gyokeres to score. Martinelli and Saka both looking to get plenty of balls into the box.
Arsenal 0-0 Villarreal
18:15 , Arthur Ferridge14mins: Saka puts another cross in and Gyokeres attempts an acrobatic effort, but can’t quite connect.
Arsenal 0-0 Villarreal
18:13 , Arthur Ferridge12mins: Nwaneri swings a cross in from the right flank but it is too close to Reis Junior, who claims with ease.
Arsenal 0-0 Villarreal
18:11 , Arthur Ferridge10mins: Saka bears down on goal and skips one challenge but his cross is cut out before it can find the patiently waiting Gyokeres, who I believe is yet to have a touch of the ball.
Arsenal 0-0 Villarreal
18:09 , Arthur Ferridge8mins: Arsenal have been relentless in the early stages - pressing like there’s no tomorrow when out of possession, and attacking with remarkable pace with it. Villarreal very much on their heels.
Arsenal 0-0 Villarreal
18:08 , Arthur Ferridge6mins: Nwaneri lets fly from range, but his effort is wide right.
Arsenal 0-0 Villarreal
18:07 , Arthur Ferridge5mins: Close for Arsenal! A cross comes in for Saka from Martinelli but it is just *barely* out of Saka’s reach, and he cannot properly connect with it. Were the cross slightly lighter it would have been a certain goal.
Arsenal 0-0 Villarreal
18:06 , Arthur Ferridge4mins: A roar from the crowd as Saka dribbles in anger for the first time tonight. He combines with Martinelli on the opposite flank but is dispossessed in the area. Villarreal look to counter but Merino produces a professional foul to cut the attack short.
Simon Collings at the Emirates
18:05 , Arthur FerridgeEarly takeaway watching Gyokeres in the flesh - he is massive. Built like he could be playing No8 in a rugby team.
Arsenal 0-0 Villarreal
18:03 , Arthur Ferridge2mins: Martinelli breaks down the left and chips a cross to the centre of the area, but his too goes uncollected. Fast start from the hosts.
Arsenal 0-0 Villarreal
18:02 , Arthur Ferridge1mins: Merino knocks an early cross into the area, but Reis Junior gets to it first.
KICK OFF! Arsenal 0-0 Villarreal
18:01 , Arthur FerridgeAnd we’re off!
Simon Collings reports from the Emirates
18:00 , Arthur FerridgeA huge cheer for Viktor Gyokeres as his name is read out, matched only by the roar for Bukayo Saka as his name is read out as captain for tonight.
Here they come
17:57 , Arthur FerridgeSaka leads the Gunners out as tonight’s captain.
A reminder of tonight's starting XIs
17:55 , Arthur FerridgeAs the players make their way to the pitch, here are the squads for this afternoon.
Arsenal starting XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Norgaard, Merino, Nwaneri; Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli
Villarreal confirmed starting XI: Junior R, Rafa Marin, Gerard, Foyth, Parejo, Mourino, Gueye, Pepe, Moleiro, Cardona, Etta Eyong
Nearly time for kick-off
17:50 , Arthur FerridgeJust ten minutes to go now!
Another former Prem star returns to Arsenal
17:45 , Arthur FerridgeThere’s another name you might recognise in the Villarreal squad.
Arnaut Danjuma is on the bench for the Yellow Submarine tonight.
He joined the club from Bournemouth in 2021, and has since spent time on loan with Tottenham and Everton.
Welcome back, Nicolas
17:40 , Arthur FerridgeNicolas Pepe starts for Villarreal tonight, but one cannot imagine he holds much of a warm fuzzy feeling for the Emirates.
The Frenchman joined the Gunners from Lille to much fanfare in 2019 - he was, after all, their record signing at £72m.
He never quite found his groove, though, scoring just eight times in his first season. His fortunes did not much improve over the following two seasons, and he was dispatched on loan to Nice before making a permanent move to Trabzonspor.
Now plying his trade in La Liga, he is still not making much of a splash. He scored three goals in 28 appearances in his debut campaign.
Arteta on Arsenal's summer spending
17:35 , Arthur FerridgeMikel Arteta says Arsenal’s summer signings have “shaken things up” at the club, as Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi and Noni Madueke prepare to make their first appearances at Emirates Stadium.
“They have all brought another enthusiasm again, and injected it into the squad,” he said. “It’s shaken things up.
“I know it’s going to be the first opportunity for many of you to see our new players in action as well, and we are all very excited about how the squad is shaping up.”
Last time these sides met...
17:30 , Arthur FerridgeIt was a goalless draw at the Emirates the last time Arsenal faced Villarreal in a competitive fixture. That was the second leg of the Europa League semi-final, and, after winning the first leg 2-1, it was the Spaniards who went through.
Among the starters for Arsenal were Rob Holding, Hector Bellerin, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and one Nicolas Pepe, who now represents the Yellow Submarine.
Martin Odegaard, then on loan from Real Madrid, also started next to Bukayo Saka.
Simon Collings reports from the Emirates
17:25 , Arthur Ferridge🎙️ "Viktor Gyokeres has got a chance to start tonight and make a big impression, which is what he'll be hoping to do." 🇸🇪
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) August 6, 2025
📍 Standard Sport's @sr_collings previews this evening's friendly on location at the Emirates
FOLLOW LIVE: https://t.co/dRFzuYnofR#AFC pic.twitter.com/DwVbjHOZ9G
What to make of the Villarreal starting XI
17:20 , Arthur FerridgeNicolas Pepe starts for Villarreal on return to the Emirates. He plied his trade for Arsenal between 2019 and 2023, but never quite lived up to his price tag.
Juan Foyth, formerly of Tottenham, also makes the XI, as does former Watford man Pape Gueye.
Former Newcastle and Leicester man Ayoze Perez could also be set to feature, but does not make the XI.
Villarreal starting XI
17:14 , Arthur FerridgeHere’s how the visitors shape up.
Villarreal confirmed starting XI: Junior R, Rafa Marin, Gerard, Foyth, Parejo, Mourino, Gueye, Pepe, Moleiro, Cardona, Etta Eyong
Subs: Alfonso, Pedraza, Pau Cabanes, Rubén Gómez, Diego Conde, Pau Navarro, Denis Suárez, A. Danjuma, Adrià Alti, Santi Comesaña, T. Buchanan
What to know about this Arsenal XI
17:02 , Arthur FerridgeViktor Gyokeres makes his first Arsenal start after debuting with a brief cameo against Spurs last time out.
Noni Madueke, signed from Chelsea earlier this summer, makes the bench and could play his first Arsenal minutes this evening.
Gabriel and Jurrien Timber are both on the bench, having returned from injury lay-offs.
Arteta's programme notes
17:00 , Arthur FerridgeMikel Arteta previews the tie in his programme notes:
“We know what we want from pre-season, which is why we have planned the schedule like this. First we played Watford at Sobha, then we went to Singapore to play against AC Milan and Newcastle, before facing Tottenham in Hong Kong. So we've been changing conditions, changing contexts, and now we are playing at home against two teams preparing to be in the Champions League this season.
“Villarreal are playing at the highest level, and they have a manager in Marcelino who likes to play a very specific type of system and formation that we will find in the Premier League this season. But also we are playing against Spanish opposition, so that will require other things from us as well, and I expect these to be really good games.
“I know it’s going to be the first opportunity for many of you to see our new players in action as well, and we are all very excited about how the squad is shaping up. They have all brought another enthusiasm again, and injected it into the squad. It’s shaken things up.
“These new arrivals all add quality and depth to the squad, which is what we’re going to need throughout the season ahead.”
Confirmed Arsenal XI
16:51 , Arthur FerridgeGyokeres starts for the Gunners!
Arsenal starting XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Norgaard, Merino, Nwaneri; Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli
Subs: Arrizabalaga, Setford, Mosquera, Gabriel, Odegaard, Timber, Zinchenko, Madueke, Lokonga, Zubimendi, Rice, Dowman, Harriman-Annous
Arsenal squad confirmed
16:48 , Arthur Ferridge🔴 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 ⚪️
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 6, 2025
🤝 Merino and Norgaard in the middle
©️ Saka takes the armband
🆕 Gyokeres makes Emirates Stadium bow
Let's go, Gunners 👊 | Watch LIVE on https://t.co/4KJlfKWFh1 📺
Arsenal predicted XI
16:43 , Arthur FerridgeWe are expecting a crop of new Arsenal signings to play their first minutes at the Emirates this afternoon.
Here’s how Simon Collings reckons the Gunners will shape up.
Arsenal predicted XI (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Doubts: Calafiori, Gabriel, Timber and Trossard
Injured: Jesus (knee)
Villarreal's disaster summer
16:34 , Arthur FerridgeIt has not been a promising pre-season campaign for Villarreal, who are yet to win a summer fixture.
Here are their results in full:
Villarreal 3-3 Basel
Villarreal 2-2 St Gallen
Villarreal 0-1 Sporting CP
Villarreal 0-1 Leeds United
Arsenal vs Villarreal head to head
16:26 , Arthur FerridgeThere is not a huge amount of history between these sides. They last met in 2021, as the Spaniards dumped the Gunners out of the Europa League, winning 2-1 on aggregate.
Arsenal wins: 2
Villarreal wins: 1
Draws: 3
Arsenal's pre-season so far
16:18 , Arthur FerridgeIt has been a mixed summer for the Gunners on-pitch.
Here are their pre-season results in full:
Arsenal 1-0 AC Milan (5-6 pens)
Arsenal 3-2 Newcastle
Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham
Standard Sport prediction
16:10 , Arthur FerridgeAfter falling at the hands of Spurs in their previous fixture, the Gunners will be very hopeful of putting things right against an uninspiring Villarreal side who are winless in six games during pre-season.
Arteta has an array of attacking talent to choose from, so you can expect goals from players eager to make an impression in front of the home fans against a team who have holes in their defence.
Arteta’s men may also be eyeing a measure of revenge following their Europa League heartbreak at the hands of the Yellow Submarine four years ago.
Arsenal to win, 3-1
Villarreal early team news: Former Gunners make homcoming
16:00 , Arthur FerridgeOn the opposing side, two former Arsenal players may line up for Villarreal.
Nicolas Pepe (remember him?), once the club’s record signing and a scorer in Villarreal’s most recent outing, is included in the squad alongside former loanee Denis Suarez.
Click here to read the full blog on The The Standard's website
