Arsenal's Max Dowman warming up before the UEFA Champions League Final at the Puskas Arena, Budapest. (Image: PA)
Arsenal's Max Dowman warming up before the UEFA Champions League Final at the Puskas Arena, Budapest. (Image: PA)
Arsenal eased past Girona 4-1 in their first official pre-season game on Saturday evening as players fought to impress with several key players away following the World Cup.
The squad consisted of a mix of players who didn’t go away with their country this summer, came back having been knocked out before the Round of 16, returned from a loan last season, recovered from injury, stepped up from the youth team, and new signings, many of which have something to prove over the next few weeks of pre-season.
Kai Havertz opened the scoring, from midfield, with a cool finish one versus one, made by an excellent turn and assist from Max Dowman. Having missed a lengthy spell to start last season, the German played a vital part in the run-in with several crucial goal contributions, and his versatility was relied on by Mikel Arteta in the big games. Having him fit and firing will be a real boost to the attack.
Dowman once again looked dangerous, racking up a goal and an assist. Whether it’s a friendly or a Premier League game, the 16-year-old always looks like he’ll make a goal happen and will have a real chance to force Mikel Arteta’s hand this season if he continues to impress.
On the other wing, Christos Tzolis made his debut, showing similar directness, and scored a tidy finish akin to the man he replaced in Leandro Trossard.
Ethan Nwaneri, Fabio Vieira and Reiss Nelson all featured following last season’s loan spells. The latter two are likely to be sold regardless, so the next few weeks is a way to prove their fitness in the shop window, but for Nwaneri it feels like pre-season will dictate whether he’s at the club this campaign.
With the majority of the attacking midfield and wing options yet to return, he’ll have plenty of minutes to showcase his skills and prove he can fight for a place in the squad. If not, it feels like a loan could be on the cards.
Myles Lewis-Skelly looked tidy in midfield and will be looking to cement a place in the middle this campaign, amid rumoured incomings, while Christhian Mosquera has a big part to play should William Saliba miss an extended period of time.
The main objective is getting minutes in the legs, but the coming weeks could be far more meaningful for some.