The best Submarine of the pre-season overcame the Gunners with goals from Pepe, Etta Eyong and Danjuma
Villarreal claimed victory in their penultimate pre-season fixture, which also marked their first win of the summer preparations ahead of a Champions League season. The Submarine produced their best display so far, beating Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium thanks to goals from Pepe, Eyong and Danjuma.
The Yellows returned to the Emirates, a stadium they remember fondly. The last time Villarreal visited the Gunners’ ground was to seal qualification for the 2020/21 UEFA Europa League final after a hard-fought goalless draw on 6th May 2021.
The hosts’ drive and excitement, as they played in front of their fans for the first time, were the main reasons behind the early English dominance. Mikel Arteta named a strong starting XI, with big summer signing Viktor Gyökeres leading the line – a major challenge for the Yellows’ defence.
However, Villarreal did not shy away from the hunger of the English giants and, as the minutes passed, began pushing into the opposition half and growing into the game. In the 16th minute, Nicolas Pepe opened the scoring in a move he himself had started down the right. He played the ball to Pape Gueye, whose strike from the edge of the box hit the post. Cardona crossed the rebound for Gerard, whose shot was parried by the Spanish goalkeeper, only for the African star to pounce and fire home.
Villarreal were playing their best football of the pre-season. Marcelino’s side kept the ball well despite the magnitude of the occasion and continued creating dangerous chances. In the 33rd minute, a move down the left saw Sergi Cardona play the ball inside to Gerard Moreno, whose first-time strike was saved by Raya. Etta Eyong reacted quickest to tap in from close range and double the lead.
The Submarine were in clear control. Arsenal only managed to breach the Yellows’ goal from a set piece, with Norgaard heading in from a Martinelli cross in the 36th minute to make it 1-2.
Marcelino made his first substitutions at half-time, bringing on Buchanan and Comesaña. In the second half, Diego Conde, Pau Navarro, Pedraza, Denis Suárez, Pau Cabanes, Alti, Valou and Arnaut Danjuma also entered the fray, with the latter scoring Villarreal’s third.
The Dutchman ran in behind the Gunners’ defence and was perfectly spotted by Santi Comesaña, whose excellent through ball sent the forward one-on-one with Kepa. Danjuma kept his composure to slot in the 1-3 in the 68th minute.
Arsenal reduced the deficit in the 76th minute through an Odegaard penalty.
The Submarine will round off a demanding pre-season this Sunday in front of their fans, taking on Aston Villa at 9pm CEST in the Trofeo de la Cerámica, which returns to Vila-real a decade later.
Season ticket holders can access the match with their 2025/26 season ticket, while tickets can be purchased through the Villarreal CF website.
