Viktor Gyökeres made his Arsenal debut as they lost 3-2 to Villarreal in the opening game of the Emirates Cup on Wednesday.
The Gunners had hoped to give their home fans something to cheer about after losing 1-0 to North London rivals Tottenham in their last pre-season match in Asia.
Despite starting the game confidently, it was the La Liga side who raced into the lead.
Former Arsenal winger Nicolas Pépé opened the scoring against his old club before Karl Etta Eyong doubled Villarreal’s advantage.
The hosts pulled one back when Christian Nørgaard headed in Gabriel Martinelli’s corner.
Arnaut Danjuma restored the Yellow Submarine’s two-goal cushion in the second half, and Martin Ødegaard reduced the deficit to 3-2 from the penalty spot after Max Dowman was fouled.
