Arsenal player ratings vs Villarreal as Gyokeres blanks, Dowman shines and Odegaard responds

Fresh off the back of the Asian pre-season tour, Arsenal returned to their home ground to face Villarreal. However, they suffered their second defeat of pre-season, conceding three times on the day including to an old friend.

Arsenal went a goal down to their former wideman, Nicolas Pepe. A shot from outside the box, hitting the post and then coming back off David Raya before a subsequent cross landed at the ex-Gunner’s feet to tap past the Arsenal goalkeeper.

The home side were soon two down as Karl Etta Eyong tapped in at the back post following a good Raya save. However, Christian Norgaard managed to tap in at the back post with his head after being unmarked from a corner.

Arsenal were however then caught out as Arnaut Danjuma was sent through on goal as the high line was exploited and Kepa Arrizabalaga was stuck in two minds. The Gunners quickly responded, though, when Max Dowman won them a penalty which Martin Odegaard put away.

Here is how we rated the Arsenal players at the Emirates Stadium:

David Raya – Little he could do about the first goal and was unlucky to have the ball ricochet off his back from the post’s rebound before a ball back in was deflected past him. The second goal, again, was making a good save, but it was not supported well enough by his defenders to stop the back-post finish. 6

Ben White – Overlapping regularly around Bukayo Saka, White was a constant threat in the final third. However, he was caught out on the right on occasion for the goals positionally. 6

William Saliba – Imperious as usual, William Saliba was often put in some threatening situations but coped with them calmly and efficiently. A couple of nice one-on-one situations showcased his typical grace. 7

Jakub Kiwior – Couldn’t find the right place to be when the cross came back in for Nicolas Pepe’s goal. Did look a little less assured than he has done of late. 5

Myles Lewis-Skelly – Great driving run through the middle of the Arsenal midfield, beating three players before sadly misplacing a pass. Such good feet, but was arguably caught for the third Villarreal goal as a ball got played in behind. 6

Christian Norgaard – Plenty of running from the Dane in midfield, and did well to break up several Villarreal attacks centrally. He promised goals from set-pieces when he signed and he delivered too with a header from a corner. 7

Mikel Merino – Found himself often in the left half space, either trying to find crosses after some intelligent runs or playing the ball in behind the back line. However, it was evident the Spaniard needed the support of a creative presence beyond Ethan Nwaneri, and when Martin Zubimendi came on, there was a noticeable difference. 6

Ethan Nwaneri – Lively, and was showing plenty of his best technical skill in the game. However, there was a moment where groans rang out from the Emirates Stadium after taking the ball off Viktor Gyokeres’ feet near the opposition box, which could have led to a chance. 7

Bukayo Saka – Always a threat down the right, running past Sergi Cardona with ease. However, the threat sadly led to very little in the way of chances, one shot at goal which was easily saved and crosses which couldn’t meet their target. 6

Gabriel Martinelli – Again left fans frustrated on several occasions with actions which ended in the wrong decision. However, he did provide the delivery from the corner leading to the Norgaard goal but this was really the only positive in an otherwise blunt performance. 5

Viktor Gyokeres – Scoring and creating opportunities are the first things on this man’s mind. His first touch of the ball was to fire a low cross into the box which was cleared.

He had to wait a while for his chance at goal, into the second half, but played in by Merino he was through but struck the ball at Junior from a tight angle. That was the best one he would get but sadly couldn’t take it but it was a bright display for someone with very little football in his legs. 6

Substitutes:

Kepa – Not the best start to life at the Emirates Stadium after being caught in no man’s land and retreated from the Danjuma run instead of closing him down. 5

Martin Zubimendi – Such a step up in the six role despite Norgaard’s positive display. Zubimendi just plays the game in a different way, more direct, more progressive and as a result the Gunners look more dangerous. 7

Cristhian Mosquera – Enjoyed the Spaniard’s display, looks like a promising player and performed both as a right-back and right centre-half in the game. 6

Gabriel – A little caught out for the third Villarreal after coming on. However, he settled and had a solid performance at the back. 6

Jurrien Timber – Back from injury and a great sight to see the Dutch international back on the field. Performed a great spin on the edge of the box which led to a chance too. 6

Declan Rice – Will be a must from the start in games for Arsenal like Zubimendi. Just added so much more impetus and drive when he came off the bench. 6

Max Dowman – Came off the bench and got the fans off their seats once again. Won yet another penalty which was coolly dispatched and will be in the plans of the manager this season, there can be no doubt. 7

Martin Odegaard – Very good when he came on and scored the penalty too. The quality really came from the Gunners’ bench today and when Athletic Club come to town on Saturday, we expect the team that will face Manchester United and Odegaard will surely be a part of that. 7