Three things we learned as Arsenal beat Girona 4-1
Arsenal began their public pre-season programme with an encouraging 4-1 victory over Girona on Saturday evening.
Kai Havertz, Christos Tzolis, Max Dowman and Gabriel Jesus scored as Mikel Arteta gave senior and academy players valuable minutes in Spain.
The result itself will mean little once the Premier League season begins. However, Arsenal’s 4-1 win over Girona provided several early clues about Arteta’s squad, particularly on the left wing and around some players fighting for their futures.
Arsenal’s official Girona match report confirms Tzolis and Dowman were among the goalscorers, while the 16-year-old also created Havertz’s opener.
Tzolis has already made an encouraging start to life at Arsenal.
The £34million summer signing assisted during the behind-closed-doors win over MK Dons before opening his Arsenal account against Girona. Starting from the left, he repeatedly looked to attack his full-back and move inside into shooting positions.
His goal demonstrated that threat. Tzolis drove inside before curling towards the far corner, with the ball finding its way into the net following contact with Havertz.
ReadArsenal previously highlighted three positives from Tzolis’ first pre-season appearance, and Girona provided further evidence that he can give Arteta something different on the left.
There is an interesting complication.
Arsenal continue to be linked with Vinicius Junior, with ReadArsenal reporting that the Gunners are preparing an offer for the Real Madrid winger.
Another major arrival would increase competition considerably. Tzolis can only control his own performances, and two productive outings represent a strong start.
Max Dowman looks increasingly comfortable with Arsenal first team
Dowman continues to make being 16 years old look largely irrelevant.
The academy attacker created Havertz’s opener with a perfectly weighted pass before scoring himself during the second half. Sky Sports’ report on Arsenal’s 4-1 victory described Dowman as the standout performer after he finished with a goal and an assist.
More encouraging than the headline numbers was his involvement throughout the game.
Dowman carried the ball towards defenders, found pockets between midfield and defence and continued demanding possession after mistakes. His defensive work also appeared more disciplined than during his earliest senior appearances.
Arteta does not need to rush him.
However, the question is increasingly moving away from whether Dowman can cope with first-team football. It is becoming how frequently Arsenal can provide meaningful minutes without placing unnecessary pressure on one of their brightest prospects.
Fabio Vieira and Gabriel Jesus still have something to offer
Perhaps the most interesting substitutions involved two players whose futures remain uncertain.
Fabio Vieira and Gabriel Jesus both entered during the first half. The Daily Mail report supplied for this piece notes that Vieira remains available for transfer, while Jesus faces significant competition for attacking minutes.
Vieira still contributed.
His pressing played a role in the move which eventually produced Jesus’ goal, providing a reminder that fringe players cannot simply be ignored while Arsenal wait for offers.
There remains a strong possibility that Vieira leaves before the transfer window closes. Reports have suggested clubs in Germany remain interested following his loan spell with Hamburg.
Jesus faces a slightly different situation.
Viktor Gyokeres and Havertz provide significant competition through the middle, while Arsenal continue looking at attacking additions. However, Jesus scoring when given an opportunity underlines the depth Arteta currently possesses.
Neither player’s involvement against Girona guarantees they will remain at Arsenal.
For now, though, Arteta still has use for them. That could be important during a compressed pre-season while several senior internationals gradually return to training.
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