ARSENAL 2-3 VILLARREAL: Viktor Gyokeres’ first Gunners start ended in dissappointmnet as Spanish side Villarreal picked up a morale-boosting win at the Emirates
Arsenal were itching for their glitzy big-money signing to grab a goal – and after 17 minutes, Nicolas Pepe showed Viktor Gyokeres how it was done. The great irony of it all was that Pepe, considered one of the Gunners’ biggest flops following his £72million switch from Lille, arguably looked sharper than Gabriel Martinelli.
The Brazilian is facing a make-or-break campaign in north London and it’s already clear the understanding between Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Gyokeres will require time. That said, the former Sporting striker did show an early glimpse of what Mikel Arteta’s side have been missing in recent seasons inside the opening 30 seconds.
It did not end in a goal but there was a huge roar of anticipation when the bullish Swede burst into the box and attempted to square an early cutback. Not only is he 6ft 2′ but the £63.7million frontman is square-shouldered and has pace to burn.
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Kai Havertz, who was a notable absentee against Villarreal, thrives in between the lines but if Gyokeres’ Emirates debut is anything to go by; Arsenal fans can expect pure determination, power and a hunger to score goals. He pressed the Spaniards’ backline and goalkeeper aggressively and did not afford them a moment’s peace.
But to get the best from Gyokeres, Arsenal will need to create him both chances and space. Here, he had neither. There were a few minor openings and one wild swing at an overhead kick but Villarreal’s backline was camped inside their box. At times, it felt like the same old story as Martinelli continually ran down blind alleys. Villarreal were two goals to the good when Etta Eyong tapped home a second from close range.
Christian Norgaard netted his first Arsenal goal with a back-post header from a corner before ex-Tottenham forward Arnaut Danjuma added a third for the visitors. Fifteen-year-old Max Dowman was spectacular upon entering the field on 60 minutes with his immaculate footwork and dribbling. He won a penalty converted by Martin Odegaard and already looks like a Premier League-ready star. His close control, deft touches and explosiveness was a breath of fresh air. He cannot play in the Champions League until his 16th birthday but we are likely to see him make his top-flight debut very soon. Arteta isn’t afraid to hand Hale End gems minutes as Ethan Nwaneri made his Premier League bow at just 15 years and 181 days old. Dowman may not break that record but there is no shame in that. This kid is special and is going right to the very top. It’s just a shame he plays in the same position as his idol Saka.
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