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Arsenal pre-season## Mikel Arteta has plenty of options to choose from when it comes to Arsenal's first pre-season game against Girona
06:00, 30 Jul 2026
Arsenal take on Girona in a scorching Spanish pre-season affair with temperatures set to exceed 30C, despite the evening kick-off of 8pm UK time. Mikel Arteta has already seen some of his squad take to the field this summer.
Arsenal beat MK Dons 3-0 in a behind-closed-doors friendly last week, but now the official ‘tour’ of sorts begins. Girona is the first of four friendlies against Real Betis, Borussia Dortmund and Como before the FA Community Shield bout with Manchester City on August 16 and the Premier League opener with Coventry City at the Emirates Stadium on August 21.
Christos Tzolis, Arsenal’s new forward signing, earned an assist in the win over MK Dons, which also saw goals from Ethan Nwaneri and Reiss Nelson. Plenty of youth players are on the tour and the third goalscorer Ceadach O'Neill could get even more game time.
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However, as more players return from their holidays, the less minutes the youth starlets are likely to receive. Since the clash with MK Dons, Piero Hincapie, Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz have all returned.
Gyokeres and Havertz are set to reignite their bout to become the starting centre-forward at the club. But the pair have a good relationship and spent time together during their summer holidays, posting pictures to social media.
Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli are also expected to return before the weekend. However, their chances of being involved in Spain could be limited with checks yet to be done on the duo’s status.
With both Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice not yet back, there is more chances for Myles Lewis-Skelly to feature in midfield, which could be where he takes up permanent residence at Arsenal next season. Riccardo Calafiori and Cristhian Mosquera are due minutes, too.
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But the excitement is rightly going to centre around Max Dowman. With Bukayo Saka potentially missing the opening games of the season if handed an extended break to better aid his recovery from a Achilles tendonitis issue, the 16-year-old could again be called upon to dazzle.
Arsenal best XI vs Girona: Meslier; Salmon, Mosquera, Hincapie, Calafiori; Norgaard, Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri; Dowman, Gyokeres, Tzolis
Tom Canton
Tom Canton
Tom Canton joined football.london as the Arsenal Fan Brand Writer and Presenter before becoming a permanent Arsenal Reporter in 2025. Tom produces plenty of analytical content in addition to breaking stories and is a regular attendee at matches and press conferences. Can also be found on YouTube @TheGoonerTalkTV
Arsenal pre-season
Arsenal pre-season tour
Mikel Arteta
Viktor Gyokeres
Kai Havertz
Christos Tzolis