After a 3–2 loss at the Emirates, Arsenal lost 4–3 in a friendly shootout to Villarreal as Noni Madueke, a former Chelsea winger, missed a crucial penalty in sudden death. The Gunners had a good night at first, with new players joining the team and young players shining, but it ended in embarrassment, with a familiar face from west London at the centre of it.
Before Christian Norgaard and captain Martin Odegaard gave Arsenal two much-needed goals, they were down 2–0. Teenager Max Dowman was very important because he won the penalty that let Odegaard score their second goal. Mikel Arteta’s team was tough, but everything fell apart as they struggled to hold back the Spanish side, who ended the game with three goals. Things did not improve for the Gunners in the penalty shootout after the game.
Madueke, who came on late in the game, had a chance to make the shoot-out longer. Instead, he stepped up and shot weakly, missing his effort. It wasn’t what he had hoped for, and the internet didn’t take long to respond, with fans mocking him after his move from West London to North London.
Madueke was Impressive on the Pitch, but Failed to Make it Count in the Shootout
Other fans insisted that Madueke was better than Arsenal regulars like Gabriel Martinelli, despite missing his big chance. The former Chelsea winger was direct and purposeful during his short time on the pitch. He came on in the 77th minute and showed glimpses of quality, but his penalty miss is the moment that will stick in people’s minds.
The pressure is already on Arsenal, who will play their first Premier League game soon. Mikel Arteta has choices, but this miss by a player who used to play for Chelsea won’t be forgotten quickly, especially by the fans at Stamford Bridge who are delighted about their rivals’ struggles.