Summary

  • Arsenal lose 3-2 to Villarreal in pre-season friendly at Emirates Stadium

  • Gyokeres started up front for Gunners for first time

  • Get Involved: #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

Live Reporting

Emlyn Begley

  1. Get Involved

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Forgive my ignorance but is that THE Pepe, the greatest signing of all-time Pepe, in the Villarreal starting line-up??

    Russ, on the beach in Turkey

  2. Arsenal 0-0 Villarreal

    Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli beats his man with a change of pace but his cross is dealt with.

  3. Arsenal 0-0 Villarreal

    Arsenal straight on the attack. A good atmosphere for a friendly. But a Villarreal defender clears a cross.

  4. KICK-OFF

    Arsenal 0-0 Villarreal

    The football has started.

  5. Gyokeres welcome

    Alex Howell
    BBC football news reporter at the Emirates Stadium

    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.

  6. Arsenal new shirt a hit

    Alex Howell
    BBC football news reporter at the Emirates Stadium

    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.

  7. Arsenal v Villarreal (18:00 BST)

    Arsenal and Villarreal have met six times before - in three European knockout ties.

    Arsenal won 1-0 on aggregate in the 2005-06 Champions League semi-final.

    In 2009, Arsenal won 4-1 over two legs in the quarter-finals of the tournament.

    And in 2021, Villarreal won 2-1 overall in the Europa League semi-finals.

  8. Arsenal v Villarreal (18:00 BST)

    Arsenal have beaten AC Milan and Newcastle and lost to Tottenham this summer.

  9. Arsenal v Villarreal (18:00 BST)

    Villarreal drew 1-1 at Leeds United on Saturday.

  10. Gyokeres gets first Arsenal start

    Arsenal v Villarreal (18:00 BST)

    Alex Howell
    BBC football news reporter at the Emirates Stadium

    The Arsenal supporters are going to get to see their new striker in action, Viktor Gyokeres is leading the line.

    Arsenal starting XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly, Norgaard, Merino, Nwaneri, Saka, Martinelli, Gyokeres.

    Subs: Arrizabalaga, Setford, Timber, Gabriel, Mosquera, Zinchenko, Lokonga, Zubimendi, Odegaard, Madueke, Rice, Dowman, Harriman-Annous.

    Villarreal starting XI: Junior R, Rafa Marin, Gerard, Foyth, Parejo, Mourino, Gueye, Pepe, Moleiro, Cardonia, Etta Eyong

  11. Arsenal v Villarreal (18:00 BST)

    Hello.

    Arsenal are playing Villarreal in a pre-season friendly at the Emirates.

    This is the live text commentary for that game.