Max Dowman stole the spotlight with both a goal and an assist as Arsenal cruised to a convincing 4-1 victory over Girona in their pre‑season clash at Montilivi, Catalonia. The 16‑year‑old was the engine behind the Gunners' attacking display, influencing every positive moment, from the opening strike to the final seal of the win. The match began with Arsenal taking the lead thanks to a moment of individual brilliance from Dowman. He executed a dazzling turn that left Girona defender Moreno flat‑footed, then slipped an inch‑perfect through‑ball to Kai Havertz.
Havertz, showing composure beyond his years, guided the ball into the bottom left corner, beating goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga with ease. The early goal set the tone for Arsenal's dominance. Soon after, debutant Christos Tzolis added his name to the scoresheet.
The Australian‑Greek forward received a clever pass from Riccardo Calafiori, cut inside, and fired a low drive that glanced off a defender before nestling into the bottom corner. The deflected finish doubled the Gunners' advantage and highlighted Tzolis' instinctive finishing ability. Girona responded briefly after the break. A well‑delivered corner found Arnau Martinez, whose powerful header rattled the cross‑bar and gave the visitors a glimmer of hope.
However, Arsenal's response was swift. Just three minutes after conceding, Dowman unleashed a thunderous strike from outside the penalty area.
The ball swerved past the wall and curled into the top corner, restoring Arsenal's two‑goal cushion. The final goal came from a chaotic moment in the box.
A loose ball fell to Gabriel Jesus, who had been positioned on the edge of the area. Jesus reacted instinctively, slotting the rebound past a scrambling Girona defence to put the game beyond doubt. Both managers made a flurry of substitutions in the latter stages, fielding line‑ups packed with academy graduates.
Despite the wholesale changes, Mikel Arteta's side never lost momentum and saw out the match comfortably before heading to Dublin for a friendly against Real Betis on Wednesday. Key match moments: - 16' GOAL: Dowman’s dazzling turn creates space, followed by a pinpoint pass to Havertz, who finishes low into the bottom left corner. - 17' BIG CHANCE: Lewis‑Skelly lofts a ball to Havertz, whose low cross is punched away by Gazzaniga. - 26' CLOSE: Tzolis receives a through‑ball from Calafiori, but his decision to shoot is blocked, and a subsequent shot from Dowman is also denied.
- 32' GOAL: Tzolis scores his debut goal after his low driven effort takes a slight deflection and ends up in the bottom left corner. - 50' GOAL: Girona’s Arnau Martinez heads a corner powerfully into the top left corner after a rapid run into the box. - 53' GOAL: Dowman cuts inside onto his favored left foot and blasts a powerful shot past the keeper. - 55' GOAL: A ricochet lands at the feet of an unmarked Gabriel Jesus, who finishes confidently.
Arsenal were missing five of the seven attackers who featured in their recent Champions League final loss to Paris Saint‑Germain, yet the gaps were barely noticeable. Dowman's creative flair, combined with a rejuvenated Havertz, provides Arsenal with a potent option at the No 10 role, complementing the returning captain Martin Ødegaard and the soon‑to‑return Eberechi Eze after their World Cup breaks.
Tzolis, another fresh face in the attacking line‑up, proved to be more than a simple wing deputy. In his 60‑minute cameo he linked seamlessly with Calafiori, created several chances, and capped his performance with a well‑taken goal. His debut suggests he could become a regular spark for the Gunners.
Midfielder 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, Lewis‑Skelly impressed with progressive passing, especially when he combined with Dowman for Arsenal’s third goal.
The Gunners' attack, which drew criticism for inconsistency last campaign, appeared far more cohesive and threatening in Catalonia. Arteta’s side looked organized, fluid, and capable of producing moments of individual magic while maintaining collective shape. Looking ahead, Arteta confirmed that Arsenal remain "very ambitious" and are actively pursuing upgrades in the summer market, including interest in Real Madrid’s Brazilian star Vinícius Júnior.
While Spanish reports suggest Madrid are unlikely to sell, Arsenal are monitoring the situation closely, aware that the forward’s contract expires next year. So far this summer Arsenal have added only two newcomers: Christos Tzolis and goalkeeper Illan Meslier. When asked about further signings, Arteta 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. We won’t sit still, and we are very ambitious in what we want to do." A light‑hearted moment occurred when a reporter jokingly asked when Vinícius would join Arsenal. Artura simply laughed and moved on, indicating that while the club dreams big, they remain grounded in the realities of the transfer market.
Overall, the pre‑season performance against Girona showcases a squad that blends youthful exuberance with experienced leadership. With Dowman, Tzolis, Havertz, and Lewis‑Skelly all contributing, Arsenal appear poised to turn their attacking potential into a genuine strength for the upcoming Premier League season. Play Super 6 for a chance to win £250k! Enter for free.