Kai Havertz and Christos Tzolis were on target for Arsenal in their win over Girona on Saturday evening, but it was Max Dowman who stole the show.
Having shone on tour with the first-team squad last summer before playing a big role in Arsenal’s Premier League title-winning campaign, Dowman looks ready to make another step up after scoring and claiming an assist in the 4-1 win at the Estadi Municipal de Montilivi.
Arsenal’s trip to Spain marked their first official game of pre-season after beating MK Dons in a behind-closed-doors friendly last weekend, and Mikel Arteta named a very attack-minded lineup.
Joining Tzolis in attack was Viktor Gyokeres and Dowman, with Havertz and Ethan Nwaneri offering support from midfield.
In a big fitness boost, Ben White made his first appearance since sustaining a knee injury against West Ham towards the end of last season, forcing him to miss the remaining Premier League fixtures and the Champions League final.
After a scrappy opening ten minutes in Spain, Arsenal took the lead when Dowman showed great close control to turn away from Alex Moreno before picking out the run of Havertz through the middle and the German made no mistake by slotting the ball past ex-Tottenham goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga.
Then just before the half hour mark, summer signing Tzolis found the bottom corner via a deflection to double the Gunners’ lead heading into the break.
Girona, preparing for a season in the Spanish second division after relegation from LaLiga, reduced the deficit early in the second half thanks to a thumping header from Arnau Martinez as he punished some poor marking at a corner.
However, that goal served to anger Arsenal as two goals in quick succession took the game away from the hosts.
Firstly, Dowman drilled an effort into the bottom corner before Gabriel Jesus benefitted from a defensive error to add his name to the scoresheet and ensure victory for the Gunners, and a pre-season trophy.
