It is a little over two weeks until Arsenal play their first competitive match of the new season when they take on Manchester City in the Community Shield on August 16. Mikel Arteta’s side will be full of confidence having claimed their first Premier League title in 22 years and the clash at Wembley presents an immediate opportunity to win more silverware ahead of what is expected to be another competitive campaign.
Before that the Gunners will play four pre-season matches with the first taking place in Spain this evening as they travel to take on Girona at the Estadi Montilivi. The match is Arsenal’s first public pre-season game of the summer having beaten MK Dons in a behind closed doors fixture last week.
New signings Christos Tzolis and Illan Meslier featured in that match and both have been selected for tonight’s squad. So too have five players freshly back from the World Cup with Piero Hincapie, Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhaes all training during the week.
Arsenal are also circling more incomings with Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes heavily linked to make the move to the Emirates and Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr a rumoured possibility. Arteta though will only be focused on tonight’s match and continuing pre-season with a win.
Follow all the updates from Girona v Arsenal with our live blog below:
Arsenal v Girona live
- Arsenal play first public pre-season friendly against Girona | Live on Arsenal.com
- 55' GOAL! Jesus jumps on a loose ball to score Arsenal's fourth (ARS 4-1 GIR)
- 53' GOAL! Dowman's brilliance brings a third for Arsenal (ARS 3-1 GIR)
- 50' Martinez heads in Girona's first goal (ARS 2-1 GIR)
- 30' GOAL! Tzolis doubles Arsenal's lead with first goal for Gunners (ARS 2-0 GIR)
- 16' GOAL! Havertz finishes off after slick play from Dowman (ARS 1-0 GIR)
- Gunners are two weeks out from taking on Man City in Community Shield
Full-time! Arsenal 4-1 Girona
20:49 , Mike Jones
90 mins: The full-time whistle goes.
Arsenal cruise to victory and look like a very strong team. Goals for Havertz, Tzolis, Dowman and Jesus.
Mikel Arteta will be a happy man.
Arsenal 4-1 Girona
20:45 , Mike Jones
87 mins: Gabriel Jesus came on at half-time, scored his goal and has now been taken off with just a few minutes left in this match.
A pretty solid outing for the Brazilian.
Arsenal 4-1 Girona
20:40 , Mike Jones
84 mins: Meslier, another of Arsenal’s summer signings, has made three really good saves since he’s come on.
It’s a fine start to his career with the Gunners and Mikel Arteta will be taking note.
Arsenal 4-1 Girona
20:38 , Mike Jones
80 mins: 10 minutes of the game to go.
Arsenal look in good touch but the subs have taken the sting out of their attacking prowess.
Arsenal 4-1 Girona
20:31 , Mike Jones
73 mins: There’s a break for hydration which is now very common following the World Cup.
After the restart Girona attack down the left but run out of space and Meslier collects the ball.
Arsenal 4-1 Girona
20:27 , Mike Jones
70 mins: 20 minutes to go in this pre-season friendly.
Arsenal have been very impressive. It’s only the start of their pre-season campaign but they’re been calm, composed and clinical.
All good signs for Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal 4-1 Girona
20:24 , Mike Jones
66 mins: Arsenal are in total control now. Mikel Arteta has brought on the academy graduates who are thriving.
The youth is direct and comfortable on the ball. There might be goals left in this game.
Arsenal 4-1 Girona
20:19 , Mike Jones
60 mins: More changes for both teams. White has gone off for Arsenal with Jesus now given the armband.
Save! Kepa has been replaced by Illan Meslier who is immediately called into the action.
He makes a couple of great saves from close range to deny Girona a second.
Arsenal 4-1 Girona
20:14 , Mike Jones
57 mins: Kim takes a shot from the left side but blazes it straight into the arms of Kepa Arrizabalaga.
He’s looked bright for Girona today.
GOAL! Arsenal 4-1 Girona (Jesus, 55')
20:13 , Mike Jones
Ben White’s high press knocks the ball loose and it rolls into the Girona box.
Gabriel Jesus is the first to the ball and he guides it simply past the goalkeeper to score a fourth for Arsenal.
Arsenal 3-1 Girona
20:10 , Mike Jones
54 mins: Yes it will.
Arsenal restore their two goal lead. That’s a cracking finish from Dowman.
GOAL! Arsenal 3-1 Girona (Dowman, 53')
20:10 , Mike Jones
Max Dowman receives the ball and hands off Moreno.
He cuts inside and turns towards goal before rattling the ball into the back of the net.
Will the goal stand?
GOAL! Arsenal 2-1 Girona (Martinez, 50')
20:07 , Mike Jones
Wow! That’s a blinder.
Girona’s captain, Martinez, is the first to leap towards the ball from a corner - swung in by Kim - and he meets it with a thunderous header and finds the back corner.
Kepa is left with no chance and Girona are back in the game.
Arsenal 2-0 Girona
20:05 , Mike Jones
48 mins: Arsenal win a free kick deep in their own half and work it back to Kepa.
They play the ball out from the back and find Calafiori who attempts to go long and send Tzolis in behind.
The pass is too heavy and ends up skipping through to the Girona goalkeeper.
Second half! Arsenal 2-0 Girona
20:02 , Mike Jones
Okay, the live stream is back and Arsenal have made a bunch of pre-planned changes.
One of those is that Gabriel Jesus is on for Viktor Gyokeres.
Girona get the ball rolling again.
Arsenal website crashes during pre-season friendly leaving fans unable to view game they paid for
19:59 , Mike Jones
Arsenal fans were left short-changed after the live stream for the Gunners’ pre-season friendly cut off during the first half of the match against Girona.
Kai Havertz had given Arsenal the lead having received a delightful pass from 16-year-old Max Dowman before slipping it past the goalkeeper with a left-footed finish.
Arsenal website crashes leaving fans unable to view pre-season game they paid for
Arsenal 2-0 Girona
19:43 , Mike Jones
42 mins: Arsenal maintain their two goal advantage but the live stream is still down much to the frustration of supporters and fnas.
Maybe they can fix it at half-time. Not a good luck for the club.
GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Girona (Christos Tzolis, 30')
19:34 , Mike Jones
Christos Tzolis has doubled Arsenal’s lead on the half hour mark.
But I cannot give you the details of the goal as Arsenal’s webstie has crashed leaving fans without access to view the game.
Arsenal 1-0 Girona
19:23 , Mike Jones
21 mins: Save!
Girona’s Martinez cuts in from his position at right back and takes a shot having received the ball in the middle of the goal.
His effort is on target but he picks out Kepa Arrizabalaga who makes a fine save.
Arsenal 1-0 Girona
19:19 , Mike Jones
19 mins: Arsenal are looking the most confortable of the two teams and rightly so.
The Gunners are being forced to defend but when they get on the ball they are so smooth and quick to get up the pitch.
GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Girona (Kai Havertz, 16')
19:16 , Mike Jones
Beautiful from Arsenal.
They turn the ball over and work it up to Dowman. He spins off a tackle and slips a pass into the feet of Havertz.
The forward takes the ball into the box, has a glance up and slots it past the goalkeeper to score.
Arsenal 0-0 Girona
19:13 , Mike Jones
12 mins: Hill whips a cross into the box from the right wing for Girona buy Mosquera is on hand to nod it clear.
Girona recover possession and play a slick one-two between Van de Beek and Martinez before losing control of the ball inside Arsenal’s box.
Arsenal 0-0 Girona
19:09 , Mike Jones
9 mins: Dowman wins a free kick and it is Tzolis who swings the ball into the box from the right side.
The ball is sent into the far side of the box where Gyokeres heads the ball back across goal.
He finds Calafiori whose headed effort lands in the arms of the goalkeeper.
Arsenal 0-0 Girona
19:08 , Mike Jones
6 mins: Girona are growing into the game and a cross from Moreno on the left is headed clear by Tzolis.
The hosts are seeing more possession now and Arsenal need to be switched on.
Arsenal 0-0 Girona
19:03 , Mike Jones
3 mins: Max Dowman drifts out to the right wing and brings down an aerial pass.
Alex Moreno is onto him in a flash and manages to take over possession.
Arsenal recover the ball quickly though and sweep down the left side again. Havertz collects the ball off Christos Tzolis before whipping a low pass into the six yard box.
Viktor Gyokeres is the target but he can’t get a foot on the end of the pass.
Kick off! Arsenal 0-0 Girona
19:01 , Mike Jones
Arsenal get the ball rolling in Spain and work it over to the left wing. They fly forward and slip the ball to Kai Havertz who works it across to Ben White.
Arsenal push forward but Girona’s solid shape forces them backwards.
Arsenal v Girona
18:55 , Mike Jones
It’s almost time for Arsenal to get this match underway. Girona have played a couple of games in pre-season already and will be fresher than the Gunners.
But, Mikel Arteta and co. will be confident of coming out and claiming a victory here.
Kick off is up next...
Arsenal's fixtures
18:50 , Mike Jones
Arsenal take on Girona tonight to kick off their proper pre-season and will face Real Betis (Aug 5), Borussia Dortmund (Aug 9), and Como (Aug 12) all in the space of a week.
That is to ensure they have enough preparation for a clash at Wembley against Man City on August 16 when they two Premier League teams will compete for the Community Shield.
Arsenal’s Premier League campaign begins on August 21 with their opener against Coventry at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal eyeing shock deal for Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr
18:45 , Mike Jones
Arsenal are exploring a shock deal to sign Vinicius Junior from Real Madrid.
According to the Press Association, Arsenal have inquired about the Brazil international, who has one year remaining on his contract at the Bernabeu.
Arsenal eyeing shock deal for Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr
Arteta's ambition?
18:40 , Mike Jones
The Arsenal boss revealed: “My ambition is that daily we nail the standards and the requirements on the day to be better the following day. That is the thing that we have to control.
“And maintaining that ambition, that discipline, that commitment and that positive energy through 11 months.
“That is the responsibility that we all have. If we all achieve that, we are going to be in a really strong position in May.”
Arteta on the transfer window
18:35 , Mike Jones
Will Arsenal bring in more players before the start of the season?
“A lot is happening," Mikel Arteta confirmed. "We all know about the context of this transfer window. From ownership to the board, the sporting director and myself, we know that we want to take this club to a different level.
“That is going to require a better squad, better individuals. We have identified where we have opportunities to grow and to improve and to evolve our game and what is going to be needed to achieve that.
“Hopefully very soon we can start to put things in a very concrete way.”
Arsenal consider two centre-backs as cover for William Saliba after major injury blow
18:30 , Mike Jones
The Gunners are willing to spend big on a centre-back as cover for Saliba, who is expected to miss significant time despite not needing surgery to fix a back problem sustained during the World Cup with France.
Arsenal consider two centre-backs to replace William Saliba after injury blow
Gunners more determined to succeed
18:25 , Mike Jones
“One hundred per cent.” Arteta stated when asked is Arsenal were determined to build on their success.
“This has to be the start and this has to be the standard. Excellence has to be our standard and this has to drive to attack the future. The way we behave daily with more and more determination and ambition because we've shown that we've got it.
“Now we have to show that we belong to this level and we want to increase and take this football club to a different dimension.”
Arteta on pre-season
18:21 , Mike Jones
Mikel Arteta has been speaking about Arsenal’s pre-season and how he is looking forward to the new season.
“First of all (I saw) the energy in the bodies, in their eyes, how they look. And then the players, it was incredible - the shape that they have all come back, better than ever,” he said of reuniting with his squad.
“That tells you the direction that we want to seek and the culture that we have set. Then the way they are training, the questions that they ask you, the direction that they want to take. They are all super powerful signs.
“It’s great to see everybody again with the same spirit after such a big season. To see everybody coming back in the building with such energy and desire to go again is really touching.”
Arsenal sign Christos Tzolis as £34m Leandro Trossard replacement
18:15 , Mike Jones
Arsenal have finalised the £34m acquisition of Greece international Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge.
The 24-year-old has signed a five-year contract with the Premier League champions, replacing Leandro Trossard following his Besiktas switch.
Arsenal sign £34m star as Leandro Trossard replacement
Arsenal team to face Girona
18:10 , Mike Jones
Arsenal XI: Kepa; White, Mosquera, Hincapie, Calafiori; Lewis-Skelly, Havertz; Nwaneri, Dowman, Tzolis; Gyokeres
🔵 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 🟡
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 1, 2026
©️ White with the armband
✨ Nwaneri floating in the middle
🆕 Tzolis from the start
Another pre-season test awaits, LIVE on The Arsenal 📺
Presented by @deel 🤝
Tzolis on signing for Arsenal
17:54 , Mike Jones
“I need some time to realise, I think” Christos Tzolis said after securing his Premier League move. “It's absolutely amazing to sign for such a big club, the champions of England. I'm very proud to be part of this team for the next season.
“When my agent was saying maybe it was a possibility, I was already excited. Afterwards it was getting more serious and now I'm here.
“I had a nice conversation [with Mikel Arteta]. It was around an hour. We talked about everything, about the club, about myself, about his plans, about me of course, about the team. It was only positive things.”
Tzolis to start?
17:42 , Mike Jones
Christo Tzolis has already featured for Arsenal having set up a goal in the 3-0 win over MK Dons last week.
Will he start for Mikel Arteta’s side tonight or is a substitute appearance off the bench more likely?
Arsenal's new signing
17:36 , Mike Jones
One of the big signings for Arsenal this summer has been Christo Tzolis from Club Brugge.
The 24-year-old scored 43 goals in 108 appearances for the Belgian side and Arsenal will be hoping he can boost their attacking capabilities.
Sporting Director Andrea Berta said: “We’re delighted to have completed the signing of Christos Tzolis.
“Christos is an extremely versatile attacking player who naturally operates on the left but is comfortable across the front line. He’s an excellent finisher with both feet, thrives in tight spaces, and possesses incredible technical ability.
“Christos has produced outstanding numbers in terms of goals and assists over the last three seasons, and he’s a player who will raise the technical level of our squad, while bringing positive energy, enthusiasm, and a strong mentality to our team.
“We’re confident Christos will make a significant contribution to our club, and we hope our supporters will enjoy watching him play in an Arsenal shirt.
“We look forward to sharing this exciting new chapter together.”
Jurrien Timber leaves Arsenal pre-season camp in latest injury blow
17:30 , Mike Jones
Jurrien Timber has left Arsenal’s pre-season camp in Spain for a check-up on his long-standing groin injury.
Dutch defender Timber missed most of the final two months of last season due to the injury. He did make a substitute appearance in the Champions League final defeat to PSG, but then missed the World Cup.
Arsenal star leaves pre-season camp in latest injury blow
Girona early team news
17:24 , Mike Jones
Girona, meanwhile, welcomed back Morocco midfielder Azzedine Ounahi from World Cup duty who could feature in a midfield against one-time Manchester United flop Donny van de Beek.
Predicted Girona XI: Krapyvytsov; A. Martinez, Lopez, Yaakobishvili, Moreno; Beltran, Ounahi; Camara, Misehouy, Gil; Vanat.
Arsenal's early team news
17:18 , Mike Jones
Arsenal are already lumbered with defensive injury problems after Ben White and Jurrien Timber left the camp nursing fresh woes, joining William Saliba who is out for a number of months with a back issue picked up at the World Cup.
Piero Hincapie, Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres have all joined up with the squad after the World Cup so could be in contention.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Kepa; Mosquera, Salmon, Calafiori, Hincapie; Lewis-Skelly, Norgaard; Dowman, Nwaneri, Tzolis; Jesus.
How can I watch it?
17:12 , Mike Jones
Fans can watch the clash on Arsenal.com by purchasing the pre-season pass, which costs £14.99 - or £9.99 if purchased before 9am on the day of the match.
This will also allow you to stream the club’s remaining pre-season fixtures against Real Betis, Borussia Dortmund and Como.
When is Girona vs Arsenal?
17:06 , Mike Jones
Arsenal’s pre-season friendly with Girona kicks off at 7pm BST on Saturday 1 August at Estadi Montilivi.
Arsenal v Girona
17:00 , Mike Jones
Arsenal take their pre-season campaign in front of fans for the first time with a trip to Catalonia as they take on LaLiga outfit Girona.
The Gunners eased past MK Dons in a 3-0 behind-closed-doors win a few days ago, with Mikel Arteta hoping to go two for two as preparations continue for their Premier League title defence.
Fans have been whipped up into a frenzy by the Vinicius Jr transfer saga but all eyes will be on Christos Tzolis, the new arrival from Club Brugge who is set to get his first official run-out.
A number of World Cup stars have also rejoined the squad so could be in line to feature for the first time since the end of last term, with the last sight of Arsenal being their Champions League final shootout defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
Good afternoon!
12:36 , Mike Jones
Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s pre-season friendly between Arsenal and Girona.
The Gunners had travelled to Spain for their first public match of the summer and will hope to kick off proceedings with a win.
They are only two weeks out from a competitive clash against Man City in the Community Shield and Mikel Arteta will be hoping to get his men up to speed as soon as possible.
Kick off for this one is at 7pm and we’ll have all the build up beforehand so stick around.
