Viktor Gyökeres‘ first start in an Arsenal shirt couldn’t prevent his new club from suffering a 3-2 preseason to defeat to Villarreal on Wednesday after a performance manager Mikel Arteta branded as “naive.”
Swedish striker Gyökeres was named in the starting lineup in Arsenal’s first preseason action at the Emirates Stadium following a protracted transfer from Sporting CP in a deal worth €63 million ($74m) plus €10m ($11.7m) in add-ons.
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Gyökeres lasted 62 minutes before being replaced and Arteta declared himself happy with what he witnessed.
“We already broke that line today because I think it was very important for him to start a match and start to have the feeling and the connection with the team,” Arteta said in a news conference. “He’s been with us only a week or so, but I really saw a lot of things and a lot of purpose, especially the way he was attacking certain spaces.
“I think he hasn’t trained really with the team for two months, so he’s done now six or five sessions I think before today, so I think on Saturday again he will take another step and he will be in a better condition.”
It was another summer arrival at the Emirates who got on the scoresheet first for Arsenal, however. Former Brentford midfielder Christian Nørgaard headed home from a corner to the back post to get his first goal in Arsenal colors in the 36th minute.
By that point, Arteta’s side were already behind. Former Arsenal winger Nicolas Pépé put the LaLiga team ahead with a close-range finish in the 16th minute before refusing to celebrate against his ex-employers. And Etta Eyong put the visitors 2-0 to the good shortly past the half-hour mark.
Two other Arsenal new boys made their entrance at half-time, with the introduction of Cristhian Mosquera and Martín Zubimendi. And Arteta made more changes around the 60-minute mark, including the exit of Gyökeres to be replaced by captain Martin Ødegaard.
After Arnaut Danjuma restored Villarreal’s two-goal lead, Ødegaard gave Arsenal hope from the penalty spot with 14 minutes remaining. But it wasn’t enough to prevent Arsenal going down to defeat.
“Today I think the result is painful,” Arteta said. “I think they were super efficient but we’ve been naive, especially the way we have defended in open spaces and that’s something that, especially the way we play, we have to absolutely nail.
“Today we haven’t been good at all in that department and that has cost us the game for sure.”
More positive for Arsenal, was a first appearance for new signing Noni Madueke, despite being part of Chelsea‘s squad that won the Club World Cup just over three weeks ago.
“He showed a lot of desire to come and join us from day one and I think what he’s done is remarkable,” Arteta said. “I think it shows how much he wants it, how willing he is to put everything that he can to make this work.
“I think the reception he got from our supporters was brilliant as well. So great, again, another one through the door that has the first experience with us and on Saturday he’ll go again.”
Arsenal conclude their preseason against more Spanish opposition, with the visit of Athletic Club to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday ahead of opening their Premier League campaign at Man United on Aug. 17.
