Girona Takes On Arsenal: Key Matchup Breakdown, Bold Predictions, and Expected Lineups

Before Arsenal kick off their Premier League title defense later this month, they have a four-game preseason schedule to work through, beginning with a clash against Girona on Saturday evening.

Since the Gunners faced Montilivi at the close of the 2024–25 Champions League group stage, Girona have dropped into Spain's second division. They were relegated last season after going winless in their final eight La Liga matches.

The swift fall to La Liga 2 signals the conclusion of the most triumphant chapter in the club's recent history, which reached its pinnacle with Champions League qualification under former boss Michel in 2024.

In contrast, Arsenal feel they are firmly on an upward trajectory under Mikel Arteta. Having claimed their first Premier League title in 22 years, the Gunners are now targeting a sustained period of dominance in English football. With rivals in transition once again, the champions have an opportunity to reestablish themselves at the top of the table.

Nevertheless, many will be curious about how much last season's demands took a toll on Arteta's squad, with the effects clearly visible throughout the summer.

Girona vs. Arsenal Score Prediction

Gunners Cruise in Catalonia

Arsenal defeated MK Dons in a closed-doors friendly last weekend, but Saturday's match marks their first official outing of the summer. They face four games across 12 days, with further friendlies against Real Betis, Borussia Dortmund, and Como still to come.

While key players are taking some well-earned rest, the young talent available to Arteta is impressive. A group of teenagers are eager to make their mark on the manager, and Girona are unlikely to pose the stiffest of tests.

Quique Álvarez has taken charge on a one-season deal, having been elevated from the B team. The brevity of his contract suggests little confidence from the club's hierarchy, who will be hoping Girona can avoid consecutive relegations this campaign.

Prediction: Girona 1–4 Arsenal

Girona Predicted Lineup vs. Arsenal

There has been considerable squad turnover at Girona this summer, with veterans Daley Blind and Axel Witsel among those to depart following the club's relegation.

However, several recognizable names remain at the club. Former Everton and Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek could feature on Saturday after recovering from an Achilles injury that kept him sidelined for much of 2025–26. Ex-Tottenham Hotspur winger Bryan Gil made 29 La Liga appearances last season and is expected to start.

Moroccan midfielder Azzedine Ounahi was Girona's sole representative at the World Cup, and he is currently taking a break after helping the Atlas Lions advance to the quarterfinals.

Girona predicted lineup vs. Arsenal (3-4-2-1): Krapyvytsov; A. Martínez, López, Yaakobishvili, Moreno; Beltran, Martín; Camara, Misehouy, Gil; Vanat.

Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs. Girona

Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel have been involved in training ahead of Saturday's friendly, while Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyökeres have also joined the squad in Catalonia following their World Cup exertions.

Arteta will need to manage his senior players carefully given the heavy workload they endured last season. William Saliba has already suffered a back problem, and Jurriën Timber is not expected to feature for some time yet.

Ben White has returned from a knee injury, and there should be ample opportunity for the club's most promising young players to impress in Catalonia. Some, such as Ethan Nwaneri, Max Dowman, and Myles Lewis-Skelly, are already well known. Marli Salmon also made his senior debut during the previous campaign.

New arrival Christos Tzolis netted in the training-ground victory over MK Dons last week and is set to start on Saturday.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs. Crystal Palace (4-2-3-1): Kepa; Salmon, Mosquera, Hincapié, Calafiori; Nørgaard, Lewis-Skelly; Dowman, Nwaneri, Tzolis; Gyökeres.

What Time Does Girona vs. Arsenal Kick Off?

How to Watch Girona vs. Arsenal on TV, Live Stream

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