Arsenal stutter yet again in pre-season

Arsenal lost 3-2 in their first home pre-season game against Villarreal, whilst many new signings and academy prospects made their home debuts on Wednesday.

Nicolas Pepe, making his first return to the Emirates since his Arsenal departure, opened the scoring after Villarreal hit the woodwork, the immediate rebound was miraculously saved by David Raya, with Pepe profiting from the third rebound in the 15th minute.

Rebounds were the word of the day for the Spanish side, who scored ten minutes later after another David Raya save left the ball at the back post for another tap in from Eyong in the 32nd minute.

Villarreal scored from both their attacks, requiring rebounds and a muddled Arsenal defence to do so.

Arsenal retained good possession, but enjoyed little success in open play. Martinelli was unsuccessful against his marker, having only beaten him once which saw a lacklustre cross into the box.

Saka enjoyed even less success down the right, but partly due to his very limited supply.

Arsenal were given a life line by new signing Christian Noraged, who lingered unmarked at the back post to head home a corner. The former Brentford midfielder benefited from Nicolas Jover, former Brentford coach, set piece routine.

Arsenal were a little lost for answers, with Villarreal seeming more than happy to let the gunners retain the ball and punish them on the counter, using the blistering pace they have in their midfield and wings.

Arsenals slow and methodic attempt to break down the Spaniards defence is coming up short against their low block.

Villarreal exploited Arsenals lack or organisation in transition, using Nicolas Pepe to run at out of position defenders, leading to a scramble in the box and last ditch desperate defending to attempt to keep the Spaniards out.

Dead balls proved another talking point for the North London team, as their only goals came from dead balls and their kick off and goal kick routines seem confused, with Raya and Centre backs Saliba and Kiwior unsure of what they are meant to do.

Arsenal came out and dominated the ball again in the second half, leading to Gyokeres only real chance of the game on the stroke on an hour. The ball came down the right hand channel and Gyokeres shot across his body to his the keeper in his chest.

Arsenal made a list of substitutions just after the Swedes chance, seeing half the team replaced.

Yet again, Arsenal were exploited for a third time by Danjuma, who spearheaded the attack from Villarreal and beat substitute goalkeeper Kepa. Villarreal won back the ball and flashed across the pitch, the ball had hit the back of the net before most supporters had a chance to finish moaning about losing the ball.

It’s truly terrifying to write about the brilliance of a 15 year old who hasn’t even sat his GCSEs yet, but Max Dowman lit up the stadium when he came on for Bukayo Saka, and his intricate footwork won the Gunners a penalty to give them a glimmer of hope, with captain Odegaard tucking the penalty away calmly.

Despite the onslaught from Arsenal late on, and the beautiful link-up play between Dowman, Odegaard, and Timber, Arsenal were unable to unlock the low block, and issue that has plagued the club for seasons.

For once, Arsenals problems were not a lack of clinical finishing but instead artful creating.

After entering the final third, Arsenal players elected to launch speculative crosses into the box rather than try and work the ball into their regular routine. Ironically, the penalty decision came from Dowman and Odegaard linking up in the more traditional Arsenal style.

Timber would have been useless star gazing, as he did not look up once before putting the ball into the box, often low to the ground and not beating the first man.

Crosses not beating the first man is normally a major problem, but with most these crosses not having an Arsenal player in their trajectory, maybe the Spanish defence spared the blushes of the crossers. Gyokeres didn’t impose himself onto the game, but did take the one good opportunity the team presented in open play. If Arsenal are to have any success, they have to stop throwing speculative crosses into the box and learn how to play with their new striker.