Arsenal v Villarreal: Preview, line-ups and stats

Although it was just a pre-season friendly, the loss will rankle with Arteta and the club’s supporters.

They will hope to bounce back against a Villarreal side who have yet to win in pre-season as they build up to the new La Liga campaign.

Their latest game was a 1-1 draw at Premier League new-boys Leeds on Saturday.

Arteta will be hoping Arsenal can pile more misery on the Yellow Submarine and iron out some of the flaws they showed against Spurs.

Gyokeres came off the bench but had little time to impact the game as Arsenal again showed little cutting edge.

After the game, Arteta said: “I’m very pleased with what I’ve seen in most of the things that we’ve done but we missed something you know in certain moments, that preciseness, that moment that unlocks the result and the moment to turn the result away and win the match but in terms of attitude, the desire, level of organisation in the team, it was great and we have to continue to elevate a little bit all the individual aspects.”

After Villarreal, Arsenal take on Athletic Bilbao at the weekend and Arteta is hoping these two fixtures hone their preparation for their league opener at Manchester United a week on Sunday.

He added: “I’m very positive, everything that I’ve seen gives me a lot of encouragement and we’re ahead of what I was expecting in many areas. Even though tonight’s result [against Tottenham] gives you a taste, I think that is going to be very positive as well. To realise the margins that winning or not winning have to be controlled as well and again, we go again. 

“We have two great games at the Emirates to finalise the preparation and be ready for Old Trafford.”

Team News for Arsenal v Villarreal

It could be a new-look Arsenal that take on Villarreal. Gyokeres should start while fellow summer signing Noni Madueke could make his debut after missing the Asia tour as he was still recovering from Chelsea’s campaign at the Club World Cup.

The hosts do have some injury worries, though.

Gabriel and Jurrien Timber are out while Riccardo Calafiori is doubtful after missing the game against Spurs due to a knee injury. Leandro Trossard limped off against Spurs and is unlikely to be risked.

Thomas Partey is expected to sign for Villarreal this week but the former Arsenal midfielder, who will appear at Westminster magistrates court today after being charged with five counts of rape and one of sexual assault, won’t be on board in time for a controversial return to the Emirates.

Another former Gunner, Nicolas Pepe, will play.

Right-back Santiago Mouriño made his debut at Leeds and is set to keep his place in the XI.