ARSENAL got their pre-season schedule underway with a thumping win over Girona in the Catalan sunshine.
‘s side eased past their hosts, who were relegated from LaLiga last term.
Max Dowman got himself on the scoresheet against Girona Credit: Getty
Mikel Arteta ran the rule over his team in Spain Credit: Getty
The Gunners spent training ahead of this match.
And they looked sharp from the off, firing them into the lead on 16 minutes and new boy Christos Tzolis doubling their advantage on the half hour.
Arnau Martinez pulled one back for the hosts, only for further efforts by and to add gloss to the scoreline.
Here’s how SunSport’s Joshua Hall rated each performer on a sweltering evening in Girona.
KEPA ARRIZBALAGA – 5
Had very little to do, but still couldn’t keep out Arnau Martinez’s second-half bullet header from a corner.
BEN WHITE – 6
Back from the injury that ruled him out of the Champions League final and the World Cup, and back with the captain’s armband on.
A mixed performance that saw some sloppy touches, but also some great pressure to earn Arsenal their fourth goal with a tackle-cum-pass to Gabriel Jesus.
CRISTHIAN MOSQUERA – 6
Arsenal were not put under too much pressure by Girona, but Mosquera’s calm presence is always a comfort blanket when there is a wave of attack.
Cristhian Mosquera was in friendly action for the Gunners Credit: Getty
PIERO HINCAPIE – 6
One of three World Cup stars to be given just over 30 minutes of action. Some nice link up play on the left flank when he was on the pitch.
RICCARDO CALAFIORI – 6
The Italian looked a threat when he was combining with Hincapie and Tzolis down the left side.
The game being played at a usual laid-back pre-season pace meant his usual marauding runs were out of the question.
MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY – 7
Mikel Arteta looks like he views Lewis-Skelly as a midfielder now, starting him in that position from the off for this game.
A solid performance from the Englishman, but shifting into the middle of the park could still mean limited minutes if Bruno Guimaraes arrives.
KAI HAVERTZ – 8
A brilliantly taken opener from the German who still seems sharp from his time with Germany at the World Cup.
Whether or not the second goal was his will is up for debate, the ball deflected off his ankle en route to the bottom corner from Christos Tzolis’ shot.
Kai Havertz fires Arsenal into the lead at Montilivi Credit: Getty
Ethan Nwaneri did not have his best game upon his Gunners return Credit: Getty
ETHAN NWANERI – 5
Arteta will be watching Nwaneri closely during pre-season, with his future at Arsenal still very much up in the air after his failed loan move to Marseille last term.
This was a solid enough performance with some nice close control, but the 19-year-old needs to have a more direct impact on the game.
MAX DOWMAN – 8
Not that anyone was doubting it, but Dowman’s raw talent is evident every time he gets the ball.
His through ball to find Havertz for the opener was sublime, and there were some moments of silky ball control scattered throughout his cameo too.
A brilliant solo goal topped off his performance, cutting in from the right flank and drilling the ball into the back of the net with his left peg.
Max Dowman made an impressive case for more game time Credit: Getty
Christos Tzolis made his first appearance in an Arsenal shirt Credit: Getty
CHRISTOS TZOLIS – 8
Some really promising stuff from the summer signing.
Tzolis was always looking to cut in on his right foot and get a shot off or find a man in the box, while he also offered a bit of set piece threat.
He will be claiming the second goal as his own after it was his goalward effort that deflected off Havertz and into the back of the net.
VIKTOR GYOKERES – 6
The Swede was given just 32 minutes after his World Cup exploits, but showed for the ball in his usual passionate manner for each and every one of them.
The final pass never really came.
Viktor Gyokeres wrestles with home defender David Lopez Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
The Gunners made their first pre-season outing of 2026 Credit: Getty
SUBSTITUTES
FABIO VIEIRA – 4
Vieira is keen to leave Arsenal for Hamburg this summer after a successful loan in Germany last term.
This performance didn’t do much to make Arteta desperate to convince him to stay, in fact he was subbed off just over half an hour after coming on.
GABRIEL JESUS – 7
Did very well to tuck away the loose ball that fell into his path when Ben White forced an error at the back for Girona.
MARLI SALMON – 7
So assured on the ball for a centre-back of his age and comfortable under pressure too.
Arsenal fans will be hoping they will see more of the rising star this season, especially with William Saliba’s back injury.
ILLAN MESLIER – 7
Some really tidy saves from the new arrival, who joined on a free transfer after his Leeds contract expires this summer.
With so many youth players on the pitch alongside him, Meslier stepped in to clean up their mistakes.
REISS NELSON – 5
Another player who seems destined for the exit doors this summer. The winger had little impact during his cameo.
IFE IBRAHIM – 6
An exciting talent who loves to break up play and sit at the base of midfield. Like most of the youth talents brought on, it would have been nice to see him play alongside more first-team players.
BRAYDON CLARKE – 6
Son of former Premier League and Championship midfielder Nigel Quashie, Clarke was one of many youth players who held their own to maintain Arsenal’s cushion in the last 30 minutes.
ANDRE HARRIMAN-ANNOUS – 6
Always trying to make something happen, but didn’t quite get the opportunity to grab a goal given the gamestate when he was brought on.
CEADACH O’NEILL – N/A
ISMEAL KABIA – N/A
JOSH OGUNNAIKE – N/A
DEMIANE AGUSTIEN – N/A
LOUIE COPLEY – N/A
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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