Girona vs Arsenal: Prediction, team news and predicted lineups
Arsenal return to action in front of supporters tonight when Mikel Arteta’s Premier League champions face Girona in Spain.
Arsenal have already played once this summer, beating MK Dons 3-0 at the Sobha Realty Training Centre. Reiss Nelson, Ethan Nwaneri and Ceadach O’Neill scored, while Christos Tzolis provided an assist on his unofficial debut.
Girona represents a significant step up in preparation. The Spanish side were relegated from La Liga last season, but they should provide Arteta with a useful test after a week of training in Catalonia.
It’s Matchday! The Arsenal are back with their first pre-season friendly against Girona tonight ahead of the 2026/27 season.
⚽️ Girona v Arsenal
🏟️ Estadi Municipal De Montilivi
⏰ 19:00 GMT kick-off
🏆 Friendly match pic.twitter.com/pW9oCYFDE8
— now.arsenal (@now_arsenaI) August 1, 2026
Girona vs Arsenal takes place on Saturday, 1 August 2026.
Kick-off is scheduled for 7pm BST, with the game taking place at Estadi Montilivi in Girona.
Arsenal officially announced the fixture as the opening public match of their 2026/27 preparations.
Where to watch Girona vs Arsenal
The game will not be shown on a traditional UK television channel.
Supporters can watch live through the Arsenal website and official app. Arsenal are offering an individual match pass for £6.99, while the club have also made their full pre-season programme available as a streaming package.
Full viewing information is available through Arsenal’s official Girona streaming guide.
Arsenal team news vs Girona
Arteta remains without several senior players following the World Cup.
Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, David Raya, Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke are among those who were involved deep into the tournament and have yet to return to normal pre-season work.
Martin Ødegaard is also yet to return after Norway reached the quarter-finals.
William Saliba faces a longer absence because of his back injury, while Jurriën Timber is not expected to feature as he continues recovering from minor groin surgery.
There is better news surrounding Ben White. The defender has been training after recovering from the knee injury which ended his 2025/26 season and could receive his first minutes of the summer.
Kai Havertz, Viktor Gyökeres and Piero Hincapié have also joined Arteta’s squad in Spain. Hincapié recently told ReadArsenal that the champions intend to “fight for everything” during the new season.
Gabriel Magalhães and Gabriel Martinelli have returned too, although their limited preparation could restrict their involvement tonight.
Tzolis, Nwaneri and Dowman given chance to impress
One of the main attractions will be Tzolis.
The £34million summer arrival made an immediate contribution against MK Dons and should now receive his first appearance in front of Arsenal supporters.
Ethan Nwaneri is also pushing to start after scoring in that game. His future has attracted attention after ReadArsenal reported that AC Milan have made an enquiry for the academy midfielder.
Max Dowman should receive another opportunity following an impressive opening period of pre-season.
Arsenal have taken several academy players to Spain, including Marli Salmon, Ceadach O’Neill, Demiane Agustien, Ismeal Kabia and Louie Copley. The club have profiled the young players involved in the Girona camp.
Predicted Arsenal XI vs Girona
Arteta is likely to mix established players with youngsters rather than immediately field his strongest available side.
Kepa Arrizabalaga could start in goal before Illan Meslier receives minutes later in the game.
White is pushing to return at right-back, with Cristhian Mosquera and Salmon possible options centrally. Riccardo Calafiori could complete the defence.
Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly can operate through midfield, while Dowman and Tzolis offer width.
Havertz has completed more individual preparation than some of Arsenal’s other returning internationals and could lead the attack. Gyökeres is another candidate to receive minutes from the bench.
Predicted Arsenal XI, 4-2-3-1: Kepa; White, Mosquera, Salmon, Calafiori; Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri; Dowman, Havertz, Tzolis; Gabriel Jesus.
Girona are preparing for life in Spain’s second tier following relegation from La Liga.
Former Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek could feature, while Azzedine Ounahi and former Tottenham winger Bryan Gil are other familiar names available to the hosts.
The match should provide Arsenal with a considerably more competitive test than the private meeting with MK Dons.
The result remains secondary to fitness, but Arteta will still expect his side to control large periods.
Arsenal are missing several of their strongest players, so the game may become disjointed once substitutions begin. There is still enough quality available through Havertz, Tzolis, Nwaneri and Arsenal’s returning defenders to create chances consistently.
Girona should make Arsenal work harder than MK Dons, particularly in possession, but the Premier League champions ought to have too much attacking quality.
Girona 1-3 Arsenal.
Girona vs Arsenal head-to-head record
Arsenal and Girona have met only once previously.
That came at the same stadium in January 2025 during the Champions League league phase. Girona took the lead before a Jorginho penalty and an Ethan Nwaneri goal secured a 2-1 Arsenal victory.
Overall record:
Arsenal wins: 1
Girona wins: 0
Draws: 0
Arsenal are clear favourites ahead of kick-off.
Girona win: 17/4
Draw: 16/5
Arsenal win: 1/2
Odds are subject to change.
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