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Arsenal eased to a commanding 4–1 win over Girona on Saturday evening, launching their preseason campaign in emphatic fashion.
Kai Havertz got the Gunners rolling in the 16th minute, coolly finishing a one-on-one opportunity set up by a sublime Max Dowman assist. Summer arrival Christos Tzolis then doubled the advantage before the break, netting his first goal in Arsenal red since his move from Club Brugge.
Girona pulled one back shortly after the restart when Arnau Martínez headed home from a corner, but Arsenal responded decisively with two goals in the following five minutes. Dowman re-established the two-goal cushion with a stunning strike into the bottom corner, before Gabriel Jesus capitalised on a sharp Ben White recovery to make it four in the 55th minute.
A wave of substitutions disrupted the flow of the match thereafter, but Mikel Arteta's men were clearly the superior side and controlled proceedings throughout. While the opposition was admittedly modest, it was plain to see that the reigning Premier League champions will be genuine contenders for every major honour when the new campaign gets underway.
Max Dowman Must Be Unleashed
Very few young players anywhere in the world possess a higher ceiling than Arsenal teenager Max Dowman. Despite being several months shy of his 17th birthday, the Hale End graduate continues to build a compelling case for a meaningful role when the season kicks off.
Dowman was Arsenal's most dangerous presence against Girona. Almost every time the ball reached him, there was an air of anticipation that something special was imminent—and he delivered. The game lacked spark in the early stages until Dowman dropped into midfield, received a pass, turned his marker with an exceptional first touch, took a few sharp touches and threaded a perfectly-weighted ball through to set Havertz clean through on goal.
After Girona pulled one back, Dowman collected possession in the right half-space, cut infield and drilled a fierce effort into the bottom corner to restore Arsenal's advantage. His already impressive qualities as both a creator and finisher were on full display, but perhaps it is his footballing intelligence that makes the strongest argument for increased minutes in the coming season. He is still developing and has room to grow, yet he already knows when to release the ball, when to keep possession moving and when to take on his opponent. He picks his moments wisely and plays without selfishness.
It was understandable that Arteta handled Dowman carefully last season, but that approach cannot continue once the new campaign begins. He is a player capable of making a genuine difference as Arsenal chase their objectives. Bukayo Saka, when fit, remains the undisputed first choice on the right flank, but Dowman is more than ready to be the second option ahead of Noni Madueke.
Positive Start for Christos Tzolis
Arsenal's capture of left winger Tzolis from Club Brugge may not have generated much excitement, but Saturday's display offered a clear indication of why Arteta identified him as a capable replacement for Leandro Trossard.
Tzolis made his competitive Arsenal debut and, while he wasn't quite as eye-catching as Dowman on the opposite flank, the Greek international offered a promising glimpse of what he brings to the table. Tzolis has already absorbed Arteta's instructions for his wingers, hugging the touchline on the left to support Arsenal's structured possession play.
His positional awareness also contributed directly to his first Arsenal goal. After Arsenal broke free of Girona's press on the right, Ricardo Calafiori picked out Tzolis in a one-on-one situation as he entered the box from the left. With space and just one defender to beat, the winger calmly shifted inside and fired a shot that crept into the net via a slight deflection.
Tzolis clearly has areas to improve—most notably when forced onto his weaker foot. Nevertheless, the 24-year-old is already demonstrating that he understands Arteta's system and finished the match with the joint-highest number of touches in the opposition box (six). Tzolis could very well prove to be an astute piece of business.
Arsenal's Defense Remains Team's Biggest Strength
Even without key figures such as Jurriën Timber, Gabriel and William Saliba, Arsenal's defensive unit against Girona featured Ben White, Piero Hincapié, Christian Mosquera and Ricardo Calafiori. The squad depth is simply extraordinary.
That back four could comfortably walk into the starting lineup of the vast majority of clubs across Europe. At Arsenal, all four could potentially miss out on Arteta's preferred XI when every defender is available.
Regardless, Arsenal's defensive display during the opening 45 minutes against Girona was commanding.
Despite enjoying 57% of the ball at the 20-minute mark, Girona were thoroughly outclassed by Arsenal's resolute backline. The hosts managed just two shots in the first half, both from distance and neither on target. By the final whistle of the opening period, Girona had registered only one touch inside Arsenal's penalty area.
Arsenal's defensive solidity was a cornerstone of their Premier League title triumph last season. Heading into the new campaign, the depth and calibre of Arteta's defensive options remains unmatched across Europe. The Gunners are capable of competing for every available trophy on the strength of their formidable rearguard alone.
Underwhelming Homecoming for Ethan Nwaneri
Ethan Nwaneri featured for Arsenal for the first time since returning from a six-month loan spell at Marseille, and the Hale End teenager endured a rather forgettable reintroduction to the squad.
The 19-year-old completed all 26 of his passing attempts without error, but as an attacking midfielder, he struggled to leave any meaningful mark on Arsenal's play in the final third. He fashioned one opportunity early on, but spent the bulk of his 62-minute appearance recycling the ball and lacking the sharpness, edge and directness needed, consistently opting for the safe pass rather than attempting to unlock the defence.
Having previously burst onto the scene at Arsenal, the teenager appears to be lacking confidence after a season in which limited opportunities prompted a loan move. At Marseille, he began as a regular starter but gradually saw his minutes dwindle until he was barely featuring by the end of the campaign.
Dowman's rise pushes Nwaneri further down the depth chart, and uninspiring outings like this one only deepen the uncertainty surrounding his future. There is no certainty that Nwaneri will remain an Arsenal player once the transfer window closes.