Max Dowman was the star of Arsenal's pre‑season triumph, delivering both a goal and an assist in a convincing 4‑1 victory over Girona at Montilivi in Catalonia. The 16‑year‑old proved pivotal from the first whistle, orchestrating the opening strike with a dazzling turn that left Girona defender Moreno flat‑footed before slipping a perfectly weighted through‑ball to Kai Havertz. Havertz took his chance with composure, slotting the ball low into the bottom left corner past goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga.
The Gunners’ lead was quickly doubled when debutant Christos Tzolis, who had already impressed in training, arrived late into the box and saw his shot deflect off a defender before nestling into the bottom corner, extending Arsenal’s advantage to 2‑0. Girona attempted a response shortly after the interval, with a well‑timed corner finding Arnau Martinez, whose header forced a brief scramble that produced a goal for the hosts. The celebration was short‑lived, however, as Dowman restored Arsenal’s two‑goal cushion just three minutes later.
Picking up the ball outside the penalty area, he unleashed a powerful strike that curled into the top corner, re‑establishing a comfortable lead. The final nail in the coffin came when a defensive error left the ball loose on the edge of the box; Gabriel Jesus pounced on the rebound and calmly finished, sealing a 4‑1 scoreline. Both managers made a raft of substitutions after the third goal, fielding line‑ups packed with academy graduates.
The youthful side continued to dominate, showcasing the depth of Arteta’s squad as they prepared for their next pre‑season fixture in Dublin against Real Betis. Key moments of the match were captured in the live commentary feed.
At the 16th minute Dowman produced a moment of magic, turning away from Moreno and delivering a pinpoint pass to Havertz, who slotted the ball into the bottom left corner. A few minutes later, Lewis‑Skelly attempted a lofted through‑ball for Havertz, only to see Gazzaniga block the low cross.
In the 26th minute, Tzolis received a through‑ball from Riccardo Calafiori but chose to pass, a decision that allowed Girona defender Gyokeres to intervene and the subsequent shot from Dowman was blocked. The second half saw Tzolis reward his early efforts with a goal in the 32nd minute. His low, driven effort took a slight deflection before finding the bottom left corner, confirming his status as a promising new addition to the Arsenal attack. Girona’s lone response came in the 50th minute when captain Arnau Martinez headed a corner powerfully into the top left corner after a vigorous run into the box.
Dowman’s own goal arrived in the 53rd minute; after cutting inside onto his favored left foot, he unleashed a powerful shot that beat the keeper. Finally, in the 55th minute a ricocheted ball fell to an unmarked Gabriel Jesus, who finished with confidence to make the scoreline 4‑1. Arsenal were missing five of the seven attackers who featured in their Champions League final loss to Paris Saint‑Germain, yet the absence was barely noticeable. Dowman’s creative flair, combined with a rejuvenated Havertz, offers Artart’s side another reliable option at the No 10 role, complementing the likes of captain Martin Ødegaard and Eberechi Eze, both still recovering from post‑World Cup breaks.
Tzolis, signed earlier in the summer, proved he is more than a mere wing‑back. In his 60‑minute cameo he linked effectively with Calafiori on the left, showing energy and tactical awareness that culminated in his debut goal. His performance suggested a player capable of contributing regularly to Arsenal’s attacking thrust.
Myles Lewis‑Skelly, another academy graduate, appeared to have recaptured the form that made him a key figure in Arsenal’s title‑winning run‑in last season. Known for his tireless work‑rate and defensive contributions, his forward passes stood out against Girona, particularly his incisive link‑up with Dowman for the third goal.
The Gunners’ attack, which attracted criticism for its inconsistency last campaign, displayed a cohesion and potency that could make it one of the Premier League’s most formidable units this season. Arteta reiterated the club’s ambition, noting that Arsenal are "very ambitious" and "really active" in the transfer market, especially concerning Real Madrid’s Brazilian winger Vinícius Júnior. While Spanish media report that Madrid have no intention of selling the star and expect him to sign a new contract, Arsenal remain vigilant, monitoring the situation closely as the player has a year left on his current deal. So far this summer Arsenal have added only two signings: forward Christos Tzolis and goalkeeper Illan Meslier.
When asked about further recruitment, Arteta confirmed the club’s proactive stance: "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. We won’t sit still, and we are very ambitious in what we want to do." A reporter’s light‑hearted query about the timeline for Vinícius Jr.’s arrival was met with a laugh from Arteta, who then stepped away from the mixed zone. Overall, the pre‑season display against Girona highlighted Arsenal’s depth, the successful integration of youthful talent, and a clear intent to strengthen the squad ahead of the new campaign.
The team now looks forward to their next test in Dublin, where they will face Real Betis as part of their preparation for the upcoming Premier League season.