In a commanding pre‑season encounter at Montilivi in Catalonia, Arsenal showcased a 4‑1 triumph over Girona, a match in which 16‑year‑old Max Dowman proved to be the catalyst for most of the good moments. Dowman not only found the back of the net but also supplied a decisive assist, underlining his growing importance to Mikel Arteta's side.
The Gunners opened the scoring when Dowman executed a dazzling turn that left Girona defender Moreno flatfooted. He immediately followed the move with a perfectly weighted through‑ball that split the defence and released Kai Havertz. The German forward took the pass calmly, placed the ball low into the bottom left corner and beat goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga with composure beyond his years. The early strike set the tone for Arsenal’s attacking display.
Soon after, debutant Christos Tzolis added his name to the scoresheet. After receiving a neat pass from Riccardo Calafiori, Tzolis cut inside and unleashed a low, driven effort. The ball glanced off a defender before nestling in the bottom corner, doubling Arsenal’s lead and confirming the Greek winger’s immediate impact on the team. Girona managed a brief response shortly after the break when Arnau Martínez headed in from a corner, reducing the deficit to 2‑1.
However, the lead was short‑lived. Merely three minutes after conceding, Dowman struck again, this time from the edge of the box.
He unleashed a powerful shot that flew past the outstretched arms of the keeper, restoring Arsenal’s two‑goal cushion. Later in the half, a defensive scramble in the Girona box produced a loose ball that fell to Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian forward pounced, slotted the rebound home and effectively sealed the match at 4‑1. Both managers made a host of changes after the result, fielding line‑ups heavily populated by academy graduates.
Despite the rotation, Arteta’s side displayed fluidity and confidence, qualities that will be crucial as they prepare for their upcoming friendly against Real Betis in Dublin. Key moments in the game included: - 16th minute: Dowman’s dazzling turn and pinpoint pass to Havertz, who finished neatly into the bottom left corner. - 32nd minute: Tzolis’s first‑half goal, a low strike that took a slight deflection before finding the net.
- 50th minute: Girona’s lone response, Martínez’s powerful header from a corner into the top left corner. - 53rd minute: Dowman’s second goal, a thunderous left‑footed shot that curled past the keeper after cutting inside. - 55th minute: Jesus’s finishing touch, a calm finish on a ricocheted ball that left the goalkeeper stranded. Arsenal were missing five of the seven attackers who featured in their Champions League final loss to Paris Saint‑Germain, yet the absences were barely noticeable.
Dowman’s creative flair, combined with a rejuvenated Havertz, offers Arteta another reliable option at the number 10 role, complementing the returning Martin Ødegaard and the soon‑to‑return Eberechi Eze. Tzolis, another recent signing, demonstrated that he is more than a mere wing‑back. In his 60‑minute cameo he linked effectively with Calafiori, created several chances and capped his performance with a goal that rewarded his energetic display.
His debut suggests he could become a regular contributor rather than a peripheral figure. Myles Lewis‑Skelly also showed signs of the form that helped Arsenal clinch the Premier League title last season. Known primarily for his work‑rate and defensive discipline, he impressed with progressive passing, particularly in his combination with Dowman that produced Arsenal’s third goal. The attacking unit, which attracted criticism for inconsistency during the previous campaign, appeared far more cohesive in Catalonia.
If the Gunners can translate this fluidity into competitive matches, their forward line could become one of the league’s strongest assets this season. Arteta confirmed the club’s ambition in the transfer market, noting that Arsenal are "very ambitious" and "really active" as they monitor potential targets, including Real Madrid’s Brazilian star Vinícius Júnior. While Sky Sports reports that the Spanish giants have no intention of selling the 23‑year‑old and expect him to sign a new contract, Arsenal remain vigilant, aware that his contract expires next summer. So far, Arsenal have added only two new faces this summer: Christos Tzolis and goalkeeper Illan Meslier.
When asked about further signings, Artetta replied, "We are really active, trying to improve and evolve the team. We expect movements in the next few weeks because we want to get better like everybody else.
The transfer market is open and we will not sit still. We are very ambitious in what we want to do." A light‑hearted question about the arrival of Vinícius Júnior was met with laughter, and Arteta left the mixed zone without providing a definitive timeline. Overall, the 4‑1 victory over Girona highlighted Arsenal’s depth, the successful integration of youth prospects, and the potential for an exciting, attacking brand of football under Arteta’s guidance as the new season approaches.