Viktor Gyokeres flatters to deceive as former star haunts Arsenal - 5 talking points

Arsenal continued their pre-season preparations with a 3-2 defeat against Villarreal, though there were some causes for optimism. The match brought a first Gunners start for Viktor Gyokeres after his big-money move from Sporting CP, but the striker wasn't able to mark the occasion with a goal.

Nicolas Pepe came back to haunt his former club, with his shot possibly clipping team-mate Karl Etta Eyong on its way into the Gunners net. Bukayo Saka threatened a quick leveller, forcing a low save from goalkeeper Luiz Junior after cutting inside, but Eyong doubled the visitors lead when he followed up after a big David Raya save.

Christian Norgaard got one back for the Gunners, but it was Villarreal who led at the break. Mikel Arteta changed things up at the break. with Norgaard making way for Martin Zubimendi and fellow new boy Cristhian Mosquera coming on for Ben White.

A further flurry of changes appeared to disrupt Arsenal's momentum, and Arnaut Danjuma restored the visitors' two-goal advantage. Martin Odegaard reduced the deficit from the penalty spot, but Arsenal couldn't find a third - despite Dowman continuing to pose a threat as he continues his impressive pre-season.

There was a penalty shoot-out at full-time despite the result, with Arsenal losing that too after Noni Madueke's effort was saved.. The Gunners have one more friendly before beginning their Premier League campaign against Manchester United eight days later, and here are Mirror Football's talking points from the Gunners' penultimate pre-season game.

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1. Gyokeres still getting into gear

After a brief run-out from the bench against Tottenham, Gyokeres had a chance to show what he can do from the get-go. The Swede showed flashes, but will have to wait to open his account for his new club.

There was a half-chance inside the first 15 minutes, only for Gyokeres to fail to bring the ball under his spell as a cross came in from the right. The Gunners were clearly keen to attack down the flanks early on, with Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka providing an obvious threat.

He found a proper sight of goal around the hour mark, forcing a smart save from Luiz Junior with a powerful effort from the edge of the six-yard box. That was his last chance, though, with his evening coming to an end after an hour.

2. Pepe scores on return

There will be a fair few Arsenal fans hoping Gyokeres makes a bigger impact than fellow big-money signing Nicolas Pepe. The Ivorian winger cost more than £70m from Lille back in 2019, but ended up leaving for nothing and is now on Villarreal's books.

He looked up for the game, perhaps keen to show his old employers what they were missing. There was even a muted celebration after he helped the ball into the home net early on.

A little later on, the more frustrating side of Pepe was on show as he tried to run at Myles Lewis-Skelly but was watched well by the youngster. Despite that early goal, Lewis-Skelly got the better of the direct duels between the pair - though Pepe will surely chalk it up as a personal victory after finding the net.

3. Norgaard up and running

Gyokeres wasn't the only Arsenal new boy to start the match. Christian Norgaard's arrival came with a little less fanfare, but he got the nod to play alongside Mikel Merino in the middle.

The Danish midfielder wasn't signed for his goal threat, but he won't have been complaining. Just a few minutes after Villarreal got their second, Norgaard arrived late to head home a Martinelli corner at the back post.

Martinelli should take just as much credit for his deep delivery. It looks like those discussions of the Gunners' set piece provess won't go away just yet.

4. Kiwior caught out

With Gabriel working his way back to full fitness, Jakub Kiwior partnered William Saliba at the back. And he didn't have his proudest moment for the opener.

The Polish defender looked to use his strength to hold off the threat of Eyong and Pepe as the Gunners failed to clear their lines. Sometimes, though, a more simple clearance can be the better option.

It didn't get a great deal better after Gabriel's arrival, with former Spurs star Danjuma rounding off a quick counter-attack. Arteta will hope it was a case of getting sloppy defending out of their system.

5. Nwaneri sends reminder as Dowman shines again

Ethan Nwaneri's minutes for Arsenal have largely come in an attacking role, but he started in a deeper berth on Wednesday. The youngster was essentially filling the role usually occupied by Martin Odegaard, and he showed more than enough with the ball to suggest he can do the same against certain Premier League opponents.

It won't always be the right play, with more physical teams potentially able to take advantage. However, his ball-carrying from deep gives the Gunners a different option.

Fellow youngster Max Dowman also got some more minutes, showing te home fans what he's all about. He didn't take long, either, drawing a foul from which Odegaard scored Arsenal's second of the evening, and a league bow looks like a matter of when not if.

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