Arsenal look for the instant response as they earn another free-kick towards the right. It’s Nwaneri who steps up once again and it’s a better delivery this time but Foyth’s header inadvertently lands in the arms of his keeper.
Moments later and Saka picks the ball up in the right of the box. He cuts back onto his left foot sharply but his low effort is fairly tame and parried away by Reis.
After all of Arsenal’s attacking promise, they have fallen behind. Inevitably – maybe – it was Nicolas Pepe who has scored for Villarreal with the former Arsenal striker (and expensive misfit at £72million) bundling the ball from close-range.
There was no celebration from the winger which prompted some applause from Arsenal fans while Mikel Arteta will be very unhappy at their sloppy defending with Jakub Kiwior – who may leave this window – slow to react.
Arsenal 0 Villarreal 1 (Pepe) Villarreal have the lead! Gueye picks the ball up on the edge of the box and looks to rifle home into the bottom left corner but his effort strikes the upright.
