2. Anyway that’s my live text duties finished now. Villarreal win the game 3-2 and the resulting shootout too.
3. Goodnight.
6. Noni Madueke steps up and his penalty is saved. Villarreal win this meaningless shootout.
9. Sorry Pau Cabanes, I was being lazy there. Take the credit.
12. Number 33 scores for Villarreal. Can’t be bothered looking to see what his name is.
15. Arsenal fans cheer Gabriel’s penalty as it looks as if it’s gone in but the keeper actually makes a fine save and palms it onto the crossbar.
16. It bounces on the line but doesn’t cross it.
20. Villarreal’s Jean Valou slams a penalty off the crossbar.
23. Oleksandr Zinchenko scores for Arsenal.
26. Santi Comesana sends Kepa the wrong way. He set up a goal in the game. I think it’s 3-2 now. Doesn’t matter what the score is.
29. Mikel Merino does a stop-start run-up and puts his kick wide.
32. Ex-Tottenham forward Arnaut Danjuma’s kick somehow goes through Kepa and it’s 2-2.
35. Declan Rice slams in his penalty to give Arsenal a 2-1 lead in a penalty shootout that I cannot stress enough means nothing.
38. Few boos for ex-Arsenal loanee Denis Suarez as he steps up to take this one.
39. It hits the post. Suarez walks away with a smile on his face.
42. Martin Odegaard missed in another nonsense shootout against AC Milan – but scores here.
43. As he did with his spot-kick in the actual game tonight.
46. Kepa did guess right there but couldn’t keep it out.
49. Alberto Moleiro scores the first penalty for Villarreal.
52. I actually wrote a whole article on Liverpool’s Rio Ngumoha the other day.
53. Read it here.
56. get involved#bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
57. Imran, stoke: Hi emlyn, what about rio Ngumoha, 16 and very impressive!
60. get involved#bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
61. Lee, London: I’ve seen two English footballers in my life who came into Division One/PL playing with a potential beyond even the top players. Gascoigne in the 80’s and Rooney 2002. I’m adding Dowman 2025 to that list. Kid has the lot!

Page 2

2. Right they’re doing a penalty shootout for some reason and my boss has asked me to keep the live text going for them.
4. Arsenal 2-3 Villarreal
5. It’s all over.
6. Back-to-back friendly defeats for Arsenal.
8. Arsenal 2-3 Villarreal
9. Villarreal clear it.
11. Arsenal 2-3 Villarreal
12. Arsenal win a corner. This will be the final action.
14. Arsenal 2-3 Villarreal
15. Cristhian Mosquera cuts out a through ball which would have seen Villarreal through on goal.
17. Arsenal 2-3 Villarreal
18. Villarreal on the ball, walking football down by the corner flag.
20. Arsenal 2-3 Villarreal
21. Three minutes added on.
23. Arsenal 2-3 Villarreal
24. In the second half Arsenal have had 10 shots to Villarreal’s two. One goal each in that time.
26. Arsenal 2-3 Villarreal
27. Villarreal caught offside from the corner.
29. Arsenal 2-3 Villarreal
30. Villarreal win a corner. Only a couple of minutes left.
32. Arsenal 2-3 Villarreal
33. Jurrien Timber’s cross is headed out to Declan Rice but he can’t get a shot in. Moments later Martin Odegaard does but it flies wide.
35. Arsenal 2-3 Villarreal
36. I support Oxford United and I’d happily have Max Dowman in the XI for Saturday’s opener against Portsmouth if he’s available for loan…
37. Another cross from the 15-year-old goes in.
39. Arsenal 2-3 Villarreal
40. Obviously you don’t see many 15-year-old footballers full stop. Lamine Yamal made his debut at that age and he was pretty handy. But Max Dowman is doing something every few minutes in these cameos.
42. Arsenal 2-3 Villarreal
43. Another great run by Arsenal winger Max Dowman down the right but his cross is cleared.
44. Then he almost beats his man in the box but is denied by a good sliding tackle.
45. I can’t remember ever seeing a better 15-year-old footballer.
47. Arsenal 2-3 Villarreal
48. Villarreal make a few more subs. Only one of their squad hasn’t played today (yet). Poor Ruben Gomez.
50. Arsenal 2-3 Villarreal
51. Villarreal sub Tajon Buchanan has a shot saved by Kepa.
53. Arsenal 2-3 Villarreal
54. Noni Madueke swings in a nice cross for Arsenal but Martin Odegaard can’t take the ball in his stride.
56. Arsenal 2-3 Villarreal
57. Cheers as Noni Madueke gets the ball. Feels like a lot of the criticism was from ‘internet fans’.
59. Arsenal 2-3 Villarreal
60. Alex Howell
61. BBC football news reporter at the Emirates Stadium
62. Another excellent reception for a new signing. This time for Noni Madueke. There had been some online backlash to his signing but the fans show their support when he comes on.
64. Arsenal 2-3 Villarreal
65. Arsenal bring on summer signing Noni Madueke and Oleksandr Zinchenko for Gabriel Martinelli and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
66. Villarreal bring on ex-Arsenal player Denis Suarez.

Page 3

1. Martin Odegaard
2. Martin Odegaard sends the keeper the wrong way and plants the ball in the bottom corner.
3. And then he goes to the keeper to get the ball so he can race it back to the halfway line.
5. Arsenal 1-3 Villarreal
6. Max Dowman wins his second penalty of pre-season. The 15-year-old is felled in the box as he was against Newcastle.
8. Arsenal 1-3 Villarreal
9. Arsenal end up going all the way back to Kepa with their latest corner.
11. Arsenal 1-3 Villarreal
12. Not that the corners are very good.
14. Arsenal 1-3 Villarreal
15. A series of Arsenal corners. The set-piece coach must be loving it.
18. get involved#bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
19. David: We all know it’s only pre-season right? This won’t be the starting XI. It’s all about match rhythm and no injuries.
22. get involved#bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
23. Chris, Surbiton: This is groundhog day, I’ve seen this match 1000 times. Dominate possession, fail to capitalise, get caught on the counter, easy goal. We’ve gone backwards if anything.
25. Arsenal 1-3 Villarreal
26. Arsenal sub Max Dowman cuts in and hammers in a shot from just outside the box but it flies wide.
28. Arsenal 1-3 Villarreal
29. Good assist from Santi Comesana.
31. Arnaut Danjuma
32. Arsenal have a corner and seconds later Villarreal have scored.
33. Arnaut Danjuma races onto a through ball from his own half before racing towards the edge of the box and slamming a low shot past Kepa into the bottom corner.
35. Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
36. Gabriel Martinelli tries to pick out Max Dowman with a cross but a Villarreal defender hooks it away from the child.
38. Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
39. Max Dowman crosses for Mikel Merino, who flicks a shot towards goal. Saved by Villarreal sub keeper Diego Conde.
41. Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
42. Huge cheers for a nice bit of play from Max Dowman.
44. Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
45. Villarreal made a few subs too with ex-Prem man Arnaut Danjuma coming on.
47. Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
48. Max Dowman looked very handy the other day against Newcastle.
50. Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
51. Alex Howell
52. BBC football news reporter at the Emirates Stadium
53. Another massive cheer from the Arsenal home crowd for 15-year-old Max Dowman. The noise was on par if not louder than the cheer for Gyokeres.
55. Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
56. Mikel Merino goes up front. Ah, football is back.
58. Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
59. Those six guys Alex Howell mentioned a minute ago come on. I’m not typing their names again.
60. Off come Viktor Gyokeres, David Raya, William Saliba, Ethan Nwaneri, Bukayo Saka and Jakub Kiwior.
62. Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
63. Bukayo Saka to Ethan Nwaneri. His shot is blocked.
65. Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
66. The first chance for Viktor Gyokeres. He’s fed by a Mikel Merino through ball and slams in a shot which is parried by the keeper.

Page 4

1. Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
2. Ethan Nwaneri shoots with a long-range free-kick but it’s easily saved.
4. Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
5. Alex Howell
6. BBC football news reporter at the Emirates Stadium
7. Max Dowman, Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga are coming on too.
9. Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
10. Alex Howell
11. BBC football news reporter at the Emirates Stadium
12. Gabriel Magalhaes and Jurrien Timber are getting ready to come on for Arsenal.
14. Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
15. Arsenal fans not impressed as Bukayo Saka doesn’t get a free-kick following a challenge by Sergi Cardona.
17. Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
18. Viktor Gyokeres races in to close down the Villarreal keeper but he gets it away in time.
20. Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
21. First yellow card of the game goes to Villarreal’s Pape Gueye for fouling Gabriel Martinelli.
24. get involved#bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
25. James: At some point, one of the Arsenal players will realise there’s a man in the middle waiting for the ball and they don’t have to do it all alone..
27. Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
28. A Villarreal player needs treatment after running into the shoulder of Cristhian Mosquera.
30. Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
31. Good play by Mikel Merino before swinging in a cross but Villarreal get a free out because of a Bukayo Saka foul.
33. Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
34. Good run by Ethan Nwaneri on the right and he hammers in a low cross, which is parried by Luiz Junior.
36. Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
37. Dennis Fraudkamp or whatever they’d call him.
40. get involved#bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
41. James, Kent: Dennis Bergkamp took a little while to get going at Arsenal, if that transfer happened nowadays the fans would be calling him a flop too.
43. Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
44. Villarreal made some subs too. Canadian Tajon Buchanan among those to come on.
46. Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
47. Was just those two subs. Christian Norgaard was replaced too.
49. Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
50. The second half is under way.
52. HT: Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
53. Cristhian Mosquera replaces Ben White for one.
54. Martin Zubimendi is there too.
56. HT: Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
57. Arsenal have made some subs. I see at least two summer signings who have come on.
59. HT: Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
60. The players are heading back out now.
63. A few negative messages about Viktor Gyokeres coming in. Maybe give the fella a chance lads.
66. get involved#bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
67. Stephen: Manchester United’s shiny new forward line will be rubbing their hands with glee at having a go at this Arsenal defence on the first weekend of the season match.

Page 5

2. get involved#bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
3. JS from North London: Talking of long throw-ins, I went to an FA Cup Extra Prelim Round match on Friday night, and I have to say Wokingham Town’s Ty Moorcroft has an unbelievably good throw-in. It rivals Rory Delap. Every delivery created a goal-scoring chance. Some were from near the corner flag, but others were 35-yards from the byline and were still cresting all sorts of mayhem in the penalty area.
5. HT: Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
6. Arsenal TV just tried to speak to Gunnersaurus at half-time but he didn’t say anything.
7. A bit like some Erling Haaland or Cole Palmer interviews I’ve seen before.
9. HT: Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
10. Image source, Reuters
11. Arsenal had seven shots to Villarreal’s six in that first half – but the Spanish side are 5-2 up on efforts on target.
13. Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
14. Villarreal lead at the break.
17. get involved#bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
18. Phelan: Still don’t understand the negativity from so-called ‘fans’ (spoiler: they’re not fans), proper match-going gooners will agree. Here’s to an exciting season. COYG
20. Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
21. Just before that Nicolas Pepe jinked into the Gunners box and had a deflected shot saved by David Raya.
23. Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
24. Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres beats one man and the other on the edge of the box but then can’t find a team-mate.
26. Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
27. Anyway not much is happening since the goal bar that long throw-in.
30. There was a spell last season where Oxford were scoring every week from a Will Vaulks long throw.
33. Reminds me of this feature I read earlier about how Premier League clubs should try long throw-ins more.
34. Read more here.
36. Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
37. Alex Howell
38. BBC football news reporter at the Emirates Stadium
39. Norgaard just attempted a long throw direct into the area, another set-piece weapon for Arsenal.
41. Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
42. I hope this isn’t one of those friendlies where they do a penalty shootout afterwards.
44. Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
45. I won’t use some of the negative messages we got in the brief spell it was 2-0 in case some of you have changed your mind somewhat with that goal.
46. Keep them coming though. Your thoughts – they don’t have to be negative…
48. Arsenal 1-2 Villarreal
49. Alex Howell
50. BBC football news reporter at the Emirates Stadium
51. It is only pre-season but that Norgaard goal has really given the home crowd a lift. It was very quiet in here after the opening two goals.
53. Christian Norgaard
54. Summer signing Christian Norgaard gets Arsenal back into this game.
55. Gabriel Martinelli’s corner comes all the way through to the Dane at the back post and he nods it home from six yards out.
57. Arsenal 0-2 Villarreal
58. Uncapped 21-year-old Cameroonian Etta Eyong also netted against Leeds at the weekend.
60. Arsenal 0-2 Villarreal
61. It was former Spain international Gerard Moreno who had the shot saved by David Raya before the goal.
63. Etta Eyong
64. Villarreal double their lead.
65. David Raya palms a shot and no Arsenal players reacts quickly enough enabling Etta Eyong to score from close range.
68. get involved#bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
69. Peter: Pepe didn’t refuse to celebrate, he doesn’t know how
71. Arsenal 0-1 Villarreal
72. Ethan Nwaneri’s through ball to Bukayo Saka is cut out and lands to Christian Norgaard, who gets his shot wrong.

Page 6

2. It’s all relative isn’t it. Like Nicolas Pepe himself said he wouldn’t have got as much bad press if he’d only cost £20m.
3. Antony syndrome.
6. get involved#bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
7. 24 goals and 15 assists in 91 matches being classified as ‘one of the worst signings in the clubs history’…..I can certainly name pages of worse signings than this!
9. Arsenal 0-1 Villarreal
10. Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli heads wide from a Ben White cross. Got his angles wrong.
12. Arsenal 0-1 Villarreal
13. Villarreal have a corner but Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres heads it out.
15. Arsenal 0-1 Villarreal
16. Gabriel Martinelli tries a bicycle kick, quite low to the ground, and doesn’t make any contact with the ball.
18. Arsenal 0-1 Villarreal
19. Turns out that move at 22 minutes, it was actually Mikel Merino who got the header in. Wasn’t a test for the keeper but does count as a shot on target. Not that anybody should be worrying about stats in a pre-season friendly.
21. Arsenal 0-1 Villarreal
22. Chance for Bukayo Saka. The Arsenal forward gets the ball on the right side of the box, cuts back onto his left foot and shoots towards the near post but it’s a simple save.
24. Arsenal 0-1 Villarreal
25. Ethan Nwaneri crosses in a free-kick and a Villarreal defender heads it back to his own keeper.
27. Arsenal 0-1 Villarreal
28. Image source, Getty Images
29. Nicolas Pepe managed 24 goals and 15 assists in 91 matches during his first two seasons with Arsenal and has said he was only called a flop because of his £72m price tag.
30. “If Arsenal bought me for £20m, maybe it’d be different,” he told the BBC last year. “It’s not the player’s fault.”
32. Arsenal 0-1 Villarreal
33. Alex Howell
34. BBC football news reporter at the Emirates Stadium
35. The silence when Pepe scored then was incredible. There is next to no Villarreal supporters in the stadium so there was an eery silence when the team went to celebrate with Pepe.
37. Arsenal 0-1 Villarreal
38. Pape Gueye’s shot was tipped onto the post by goalkeeper David Raya seconds before that goal.
40. Nicolas Pepe
41. You have to laugh.
42. Nicolas Pepe, one of the worst signings in Arsenal’s history, gives Villarreal the lead at his old club.
43. The goalkeeper and two defenders fail to deal with the ball and Pepe scores from close range – and refuses to celebrate.
44. Image source, Getty Images
46. Arsenal 0-0 Villarreal
47. Bukayo Saka crosses and Viktor Gyokeres sticks up a boot but can’t get it under control.
49. Arsenal 0-0 Villarreal
50. Ethan Nwaneri – playing in midfield today – swings in a free-kick from deep but it’s a simple catch for Luiz Junior.
52. Arsenal 0-0 Villarreal
53. Lovely run by Bukayo Saka down the right and loses a man with a shimmy but his cross is headed out.
55. Arsenal 0-0 Villarreal
56. Nicolas Pepe runs down the right for Villarreal but Myles Lewis-Skelly holds him up.
58. Arsenal 0-0 Villarreal
59. Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri gets the ball, instantly turns and shoots from about 25 yards out but he drags it wide.
61. Arsenal 0-0 Villarreal
62. Gabriel Martinelli’s cross lands on the head of Bukayo Saka but the Gunners forward can’t get it on target from close range.
64. Arsenal 0-0 Villarreal
65. Bukayo Saka involved centrally in a move but it ends with his heavy touch in the box.
67. Arsenal 0-0 Villarreal
68. Yep it’s winger Nicolas Pepe, who Arsenal once spent £72m on.

Page 7

2. get involved#bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
3. Forgive my ignorance but is that THE Pepe, the greatest signing of all-time Pepe, in the Villarreal starting line-up??
4. Russ, on the beach in Turkey
6. Arsenal 0-0 Villarreal
7. Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli beats his man with a change of pace but his cross is dealt with.
9. Arsenal 0-0 Villarreal
10. Arsenal straight on the attack. A good atmosphere for a friendly. But a Villarreal defender clears a cross.
12. Arsenal 0-0 Villarreal
13. The football has started.
16. Alex Howell
17. BBC football news reporter at the Emirates Stadium
18. A huge cheer from the crowd for Viktor Gyokeres on his first appearance at the Emirates. The fans are hopeful he will be the man to score the goals to take them to a trophy.
21. Alex Howell
22. BBC football news reporter at the Emirates Stadium
23. Arsenal’s new third shirt is very nice and it looks as though it is popular with the fans. There seem to be as many of the white shirts as the red ones worn by fans where I am sitting.
25. Arsenal v Villarreal (18:00 BST)
26. Arsenal and Villarreal have met six times before – in three European knockout ties.
27. Arsenal won 1-0 on aggregate in the 2005-06 Champions League semi-final.
28. In 2009, Arsenal won 4-1 over two legs in the quarter-finals of the tournament.
29. And in 2021, Villarreal won 2-1 overall in the Europa League semi-finals.
31. Arsenal v Villarreal (18:00 BST)
32. Arsenal have beaten AC Milan and Newcastle and lost to Tottenham this summer.
34. Arsenal v Villarreal (18:00 BST)
35. Villarreal drew 1-1 at Leeds United on Saturday.
37. Arsenal v Villarreal (18:00 BST)
38. Alex Howell
39. BBC football news reporter at the Emirates Stadium
40. The Arsenal supporters are going to get to see their new striker in action, Viktor Gyokeres is leading the line.
41. Arsenal starting XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly, Norgaard, Merino, Nwaneri, Saka, Martinelli, Gyokeres.
42. Subs: Arrizabalaga, Setford, Timber, Gabriel, Mosquera, Zinchenko, Lokonga, Zubimendi, Odegaard, Madueke, Rice, Dowman, Harriman-Annous.
43. Villarreal starting XI: Junior R, Rafa Marin, Gerard, Foyth, Parejo, Mourino, Gueye, Pepe, Moleiro, Cardonia, Etta Eyong
45. Arsenal v Villarreal (18:00 BST)
46. Hello.
47. Arsenal are playing Villarreal in a pre-season friendly at the Emirates.
48. This is the live text commentary for that game.