Arsenal began their pre-season preparations with a convincing victory over Girona. Mikel Arteta’s side defeated the Spanish club 4-1, with Donny van de Beek starting the match before being substituted shortly after the hour mark.
Arsenal Begin Pre-Season With Convincing 4-1 Victory Over Girona
Arsenal made an impressive start to their pre-season preparations by securing a comfortable 4-1 victory over Girona at the Estadi Montilivi. Mikel Arteta’s side produced a controlled and increasingly confident performance, with goals from Kai Havertz, Christos Tzolis, Max Dowman and Gabriel Jesus ensuring that the Premier League champions lifted the Trofeu Costa Brava.
Although the match formed part of the traditional annual tournament organised by Girona, both managers primarily viewed the occasion as an opportunity to improve fitness, test different combinations and provide valuable minutes to players at various stages of their preparation.
Arsenal were not immediately at their best and initially found it difficult to create clear chances against a well-organised Girona side. However, once Havertz opened the scoring after 16 minutes, the visitors gradually assumed control and began to show the difference in quality between the teams.
The result was encouraging for Arteta not only because of the four goals but also because several established players, new signings and academy prospects contributed positively. Dowman was particularly influential, while Tzolis marked his first appearance with a goal and Gabriel Jesus completed the scoring after returning to action.
Girona Make a Competitive Start
Girona began the match with energy and attempted to prevent Arsenal from establishing their preferred rhythm. The home side defended with discipline during the opening minutes, closing the spaces between midfield and defence while trying to make the most of opportunities to counterattack.
Arsenal controlled much of the possession but initially struggled to turn that control into meaningful opportunities. The Gunners circulated the ball patiently across the defensive and midfield lines, searching for a way through Girona’s compact structure.
The Spanish side appeared comfortable during the earliest stages, with Paulo Gazzaniga rarely troubled in goal. Girona were prepared to allow Arsenal possession in less dangerous areas but increased the pressure whenever the ball approached the penalty area.
That resistance lasted until the 16th minute, when one moment of quality from Dowman changed the direction of the contest. The teenager escaped pressure and delivered an excellent through ball into the path of Havertz, who timed his run intelligently before producing a composed finish.
Dowman Creates the Opening Goal
Dowman’s involvement in the opening goal immediately demonstrated why he is regarded as one of the most exciting young players in Arsenal’s academy. Rather than choosing a safe pass, the 16-year-old recognised Havertz’s movement and played the ball through Girona’s defensive line with impressive precision.
Havertz still had work to do after receiving the pass, but the German international remained calm and placed his finish beyond Gazzaniga. The goal rewarded Arsenal’s patience and allowed the visitors to play with greater freedom.
It was also a positive moment for Havertz at the beginning of a campaign in which he will again be expected to contribute regularly in the final third. Whether used as a central striker, attacking midfielder or in a more flexible role, his movement and ability to attack space remain important parts of Arsenal’s offensive structure.
The goal changed the balance of the match. Girona could no longer focus exclusively on protecting their defensive shape and gradually had to take more risks in possession. That created additional room for Arsenal’s midfielders and forwards to combine.
Tzolis Scores on His Arsenal Debut
Arsenal doubled their advantage after half an hour through Tzolis, who enjoyed a productive first appearance following his summer arrival. The Greek international had already threatened Girona’s goal before finally finding the net.
Tzolis received possession in an advanced position and attempted a powerful shot that struck a defender before travelling beyond Gazzaniga. The deflection made it difficult for the goalkeeper to react, but the goal resulted from the forward’s willingness to attack directly and shoot whenever space became available.
Scoring on his debut will help Tzolis settle into his new surroundings. New players are often judged immediately, particularly when they arrive at a club expected to challenge for every major trophy, and an early goal can remove some of that pressure.
His performance also gave Arteta an early indication of the variety he can provide. Tzolis is capable of attacking from wide positions, moving into central areas and shooting from distance. Those qualities could make him a useful option against opponents who defend deep and leave Arsenal with limited room inside the penalty area.
Beyond the goal, his movement created problems for Girona’s defenders. He frequently looked to move behind the full-back or enter the penalty area when the action developed on the opposite side, providing another target alongside Havertz.
Arsenal Take Control Before Half-Time
After establishing a two-goal lead, Arsenal became increasingly comfortable. Their passing was quicker, the movement between midfield and attack became more fluid, and Girona found it difficult to recover possession for long enough to construct sustained attacks.
The visitors did not need to play at maximum intensity, but they controlled the match effectively and forced Girona to spend long periods without the ball. Arsenal’s defensive players remained alert whenever the hosts attempted to counterattack, preventing Gazzaniga’s teammates from building momentum before the interval.
Arteta will have been pleased with the way his team responded to the difficult opening period. Arsenal did not become frustrated when immediate chances were unavailable. Instead, they continued moving the ball, trusted their structure and waited for opportunities to emerge.
The two first-half goals also came from different types of attacking action. Havertz scored after a precise pass through the defensive line, while Tzolis found the net by attacking his opponent and attempting a shot from a dangerous position. That variety made Arsenal more difficult to contain.
Arnau Martínez Gives Girona Hope
Girona returned from the interval with greater aggression and quickly reduced the deficit. The home side won a corner and captain Arnau Martínez rose to direct a header into the net, making the score 2-1.
The goal briefly changed the atmosphere inside the stadium. Girona’s supporters responded immediately, while the players appeared to believe that they could make the second half far more competitive than the first.
Set pieces had offered Girona one of their clearest routes back into the match. Arsenal had limited the hosts during open play, but the corner allowed Martínez to attack the ball inside a crowded penalty area and punish the visitors.
For Arteta, the goal provided a useful reminder that concentration must remain high even during friendly matches. Arsenal had controlled much of the contest, but one defensive lapse was enough to bring Girona back within a single goal.
The response from the Premier League champions was immediate and decisive. Rather than allowing Girona to build on the momentum created by Martínez’s header, Arsenal increased the intensity and scored twice within a matter of minutes.
Dowman Moves From Provider to Goalscorer
Dowman restored Arsenal’s two-goal advantage shortly after Girona’s goal, completing an excellent individual performance by adding a finish to his earlier assist.
The teenager once again showed confidence beyond his age. He found space inside the attacking area, maintained his composure and converted the opportunity to make it 3-1. The goal effectively ended Girona’s brief attempt to turn the match around.
Dowman’s ability to influence the game in different ways was one of the main positives for Arsenal. He had already created the opening goal with a carefully weighted through ball, and his finish demonstrated that he can also arrive in dangerous positions and take responsibility himself.
Pre-season will provide the academy prospect with further opportunities to work alongside senior players and show Arteta that he is ready for greater involvement. Competition for places in Arsenal’s attack is intense, but performances of this quality make it difficult for the coaching staff to ignore him.
The most encouraging aspect was not simply the goal and assist. Dowman appeared comfortable receiving possession under pressure and repeatedly attempted to move the team forward. He did not approach the match like a young player afraid of making mistakes.
Gabriel Jesus Completes the Scoring
Arsenal scored again only a few minutes later, with Gabriel Jesus making it 4-1 and removing any remaining doubt about the outcome.
The Brazilian forward took advantage of a Girona defence that had been unsettled by Dowman’s goal. Arsenal moved into the attacking area with speed, and Jesus completed the action with a finish that gave Gazzaniga little chance.
The goal represented another encouraging step for a player who has dealt with several injury problems during his Arsenal career. A productive pre-season could be especially important for Jesus as he attempts to rebuild rhythm, confidence and physical sharpness.
His experience also remains valuable in a squad containing several young attacking players. Jesus understands Arteta’s tactical demands, contributes to the press and can operate in more than one position across the forward line.
Goals will ultimately determine how significant his role becomes during the new season. Finding the net in the opening friendly therefore provided a useful foundation, even if the competitive campaign will present much greater challenges.
Van de Beek Plays an Hour for Girona
Donny van de Beek started in Girona’s midfield and remained on the pitch for approximately an hour. The former Manchester United and Ajax player attempted to help the hosts compete against Arsenal’s technically strong midfield before being withdrawn during the period of widespread substitutions.
Van de Beek’s movement and experience offered Girona an option between the lines, although the home side struggled to provide him with regular possession in advanced areas. Arsenal controlled the central zones for much of the match and limited the amount of time Girona’s creative players had on the ball.
The appearance was nevertheless useful for Van de Beek as he continued building fitness for the new campaign. Pre-season matches are particularly important for players seeking rhythm, giving them the opportunity to regain sharpness without the pressure attached to competitive results.
Girona will hope that a full preparation period allows the midfielder to become increasingly influential. His ability to move into the penalty area and combine with attacking teammates could prove valuable once the season begins.
Arteta Gives Young Players Valuable Minutes
With the result effectively decided, Arteta made numerous substitutions during the final stages. Several academy players were introduced, allowing them to experience senior football against professional opposition in front of a large crowd.
These opportunities form an important part of Arsenal’s pre-season planning. Young players can train regularly with the first team, but competitive-style minutes provide a different test. They must make quick decisions, follow tactical instructions and handle the physical demands imposed by experienced opponents.
The substitutions naturally reduced the fluency of the match. Arsenal no longer attacked with the same consistency, while Girona also changed much of their team as both managers prioritised fitness and squad assessment.
There were still opportunities at both ends, but neither side managed to add another goal. Arsenal protected their advantage comfortably and completed the match without suffering any late pressure capable of threatening the result.
A Strong Start for the Premier League Champions
Arsenal entered the summer as Premier League champions and with the responsibility of preparing for another season in which expectations will be extremely high. The 4-1 victory offered a positive beginning, even though Arteta will understand that pre-season results provide no guarantees once competitive football starts.
The most valuable aspects of the performance were the contributions from different areas of the squad. Havertz and Jesus scored as established senior players, Tzolis marked his arrival with a debut goal, and Dowman delivered the outstanding individual display.
That balance between experience, new signings and academy talent is precisely what Arteta will want during the preparation period. Several important players are still returning gradually after their summer commitments, meaning younger members of the squad have an opportunity to earn attention.
Arsenal also demonstrated attacking efficiency. They did not create a large number of chances during the opening stages, but once the first opportunity arrived, Havertz converted it and gave the team greater control.
Girona Take Lessons Despite Heavy Defeat
The final score was disappointing for Girona, but the match still provided useful information ahead of their own competitive campaign. Facing the English champions exposed the areas in which the Spanish side must improve, particularly when defending transitions and responding after losing possession.
Girona competed well during the opening stages and briefly threatened a comeback through Martínez’s header. However, conceding twice immediately after reducing the deficit demonstrated the difference between the teams.
The home side were punished whenever their defensive organisation weakened. Arsenal’s attacking players recognised the available spaces quickly and converted those moments into goals.
Girona can nevertheless take encouragement from their willingness to continue competing. The team did not simply protect the score after falling behind and attempted to create opportunities during the final stages, even though there was little possibility of changing the result.
Dowman Provides the Biggest Talking Point
While Arsenal’s overall performance was convincing, Dowman’s contribution will attract most of the attention. A goal and an assist in the first official friendly of the summer represented an ideal way for the teenager to strengthen his case for further first-team involvement.
Arteta has shown that he is prepared to provide opportunities to academy players when they demonstrate the required quality and maturity. Dowman’s challenge will be to maintain this level throughout the remaining pre-season matches and continue developing without allowing expectations to become a distraction.
His display against Girona highlighted several important qualities: vision in the final third, confidence when carrying the ball and composure in front of goal. Those characteristics are difficult to teach and explain why Arsenal have such high hopes for his future.
The club will still manage him carefully. One excellent friendly does not mean he will immediately become a regular Premier League starter, but it can lead to further minutes and greater involvement with the senior squad.
Encouraging Signs Ahead of the New Season
Arsenal will face more demanding tests as pre-season develops, and Arteta will gradually reintegrate players who were unavailable for the trip to Girona. The intensity will increase, tactical plans will become more detailed and competition for starting positions will grow.
The victory at Montilivi nevertheless provided an ideal opening. Arsenal scored four goals, gave minutes to several different players and avoided any late complications after Girona briefly reduced the deficit.
Tzolis showed early signs that he can add another dimension to the attack, Jesus marked his return with a goal and Havertz looked sharp when the first clear opportunity arrived. Above all, Dowman produced a performance that will encourage both the manager and supporters.
Pre-season remains a period for experimentation rather than definitive conclusions, but Arsenal could hardly have asked for a more productive first public appearance. The Trofeu Costa Brava may not have carried competitive importance, yet the manner of the victory demonstrated that Arteta’s team are already beginning to recover the movement, confidence and attacking quality required for the season ahead.
Girona will continue working to correct the weaknesses exposed by the English champions, while Arsenal leave Catalonia with a trophy, four different goalscorers and several positive individual performances. The main objective was preparation rather than victory, but a convincing 4-1 result offered an encouraging first step as the Gunners begin the defence of their Premier League title.
