Arsenal 2-3 Villarreal: Viktor Gyokeres’ first gunner finished with Dissappointmnet as Spanish side Villarreal scored a morale-boosting victory with the Emirates
Arsenal was itching their flashy big money signs to grab the goal – and 17 minutes later, Nicholas Pepe showed Victor Gyoker how it was done. All that big irony, Pepe, considered one of the Gunners’ biggest flops following the £72 million switch from the reel, looked sharper than Gabriel Martinelli.
Brazilians are facing a make-or-break campaign in north London, and it is already clear that understanding between Martinelli, Bukayosaka and Gyoker will take time. That said, the former sports striker has shown an early glimpse of Mikel Arteta’s side missing in the recent season, within 30 seconds of opening.
It didn’t end at the goal, but there were big predictions when the bullish Swedes exploded into the box and tried to square the early cuts. He’s not only 6’2′, but the 63.7 million pound frontman has a square shoulder and a fiery pace.
read more: Viktor Gyokers Deceives to Deceive As the Former Star Haunts Arsenal – 5 Story Pointsread more: Paul Scholes points out the problem of Mikel Arteta, so Viktor Gyoker cultivates doubt
Kai Herberts, a prominent absentee to Villarreal, flourishes between the lines, but Gyoker’s Emirates debut is something you can use for anything. Arsenal fans can expect pure resolve, power and hunger to score goals. He actively pushed the Spanish backline and goalkeepers, giving them no momentary peace.
But to get the best from Gyoker, Arsenal needs to create both opportunities and space for him. Here he had neither. The overhead kick had several small openings and one wild swing, but the Villarreal backline was camped in the box. Sometimes it felt like the same old story as Martinelli constantly sprinting through blind alleys. Villarreal was two goals of good when Eta Eion returned home for a moment from close range.
Christian Norgaard scored his first Arsenal goal with a back post header from the corner before former and Tottenham forward Arnaud Danjuma added a third to the visitors. Max Dowman, 15, was spectacular as he entered the field in the 60th minute with his perfect footwork and dribbling. He scored a penalty converted by Martin Odegaard and already looks like a Premier League-enabled star. His close control, skillful touch and explosiveness were a breath of fresh air. He won’t be able to play in the Champions League until his 16th birthday, but we’ll see him make his top flight debut soon. Arteta is not afraid to pass on the hailend gem, as Ethan Nuwaneri gave birth to a Premier League bow at just 15 days. Dowman may not break that record, but there is no shame in that. This child is special and heads towards the top. It’s a shame that he plays the same position as his idol Saka.
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