New season, same old Arsenal? The answer may not be as straightforward as it seems. In a pre-season friendly against Villarreal, Nicolas Pépé stole the show with an early goal and helped his new team seal an impressive win. However, for Arsenal fans, the outing was more of a mixed bag.
Nicolas Pépé’s first-half strike gave Villarreal a 2-0 lead, but it seemed like a case of déjà vu for Gunners supporters. The Ivory Coast international played a similar role to one he did in his previous spell at Emirates Stadium, and fans will likely remember those periods with a mix of nostalgia and disappointment.
On the other hand, Pépé’s performance served as a timely reminder that some players never truly leave the club. His team-mate, Arnaut Danjuma, also impressed, but it was not enough to overcome Villarreal’s strong display.
Despite their disappointing showing, Arsenal’s new signings are expected to bring quality and depth to the squad. Christian Nørgaard, Martín Zubimendi, Cristhian Mosquera, Noni Madueke, and Kepa Arrizabalaga all featured in a strong starting lineup, alongside Ethan Nwaneri, who caught the eye with his early attacking prowess.
Manager Mikel Arteta expressed confidence that his team can achieve their goals this season. However, he will be concerned about how easily Villarreal established a 2-0 lead without Gabriel Magalhães in his first-choice back four.
With Arsenal’s opening game against Manchester United looming next weekend, fans will be eager to see if they have enough depth and quality to compete with the best teams. The onus is now on Mikel Arteta to get it right this time around and deliver a successful season for the Gunners.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/aug/06/viktor-gyokeres-arsenal-villarreal