Arsenal’s summer signing Viktor Gyökeres made his highly anticipated debut on Wednesday, but it wasn't enough to prevent a 3–2 defeat to Spanish side Villarreal in the opening match of the 2025 Emirates Cup.

Returning to north London after a 1-0 loss to bitter rivals Tottenham in their final Asian pre-season fixture, the Gunners were eager to give their fans something to cheer about at the Emirates. But once again, defensive lapses and missed chances told a familiar story.

Villarreal Spoil the Party

Arsenal began the game with purpose and early pressure, but it was Villarreal who struck first. In a twist of fate, former Gunner Nicolas Pépé haunted his old club by slotting in the opener against the run of play. Minutes later, Karl Etta Eyong doubled the visitors’ lead, stunning the Emirates crowd into silence.

The Gunners found a lifeline through Christian Nørgaard, who rose to head in a pinpoint corner from Gabriel Martinelli, briefly sparking hope of a comeback.

However, Villarreal continued to look dangerous on the break and were rewarded again when Arnaut Danjuma made it 3–1 midway through the second half.

Late Fightback, but Not Enough

Arsenal pulled one back late in the game after youngster Max Dowman was brought down in the box, winning a penalty. Captain Martin Ødegaard stepped up and coolly converted to make it 3–2, but it proved too little, too late.

Gyökeres Shows Promise

While Gyökeres didn’t get on the scoresheet in his debut, he showed flashes of what he can offer — physicality, pressing, and smart movement — as he continues to gel with his new teammates. Arsenal fans will be hopeful that, with more minutes under his belt, the £63.5m striker will begin to find the back of the net soon.

Opinion: Early Days, But Warning Signs

It’s still pre-season, but two consecutive losses, including one at home, will leave Mikel Arteta with plenty to ponder. While there were positives — particularly in the performances of Nørgaard, Dowman, and Ødegaard — concerns over defensive stability remain.

The Emirates Cup may be a friendly tournament, but Wednesday’s clash had a competitive edge. Arsenal now have one final chance to sharpen up before the season kicks off — and fans will be expecting better.

Because come the Premier League, there are no warm-ups — just results.