# Max Dowman Steals the Show as Arsenal Rout Girona in Pre-Season Opener

**By Tomás Ferreira**  \nPublished August 3, 2026  \nUpdated September 9, 2026

> Max Dowman delivered a masterclass with a goal and an assist, while Christos Tzolis netted on his debut as Arsenal swept past Girona 4-1 at the Estadi Municipal de Montilivi.

When 16-year-old Max Dowman dropped into midfield, turned away from his marker with a pristine first touch, and threaded an inch-perfect pass into the path of Kai Havertz for the game's opening goal, it was clear that Arsenal's summer cobwebs had been thoroughly blown away. The Premier League champions cruised to a 4–1 victory over Girona at the Estadi Municipal de Montilivi on Saturday evening, officially kick-starting their pre-season campaign with a dominant tactical display in Catalonia.

Mikel Arteta named an attack-minded lineup featuring Dowman, Havertz, Viktor Gyokeres, and Ethan Nwaneri, alongside deadline-day signing Christos Tzolis on the left wing. Despite missing several key figures from their Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain and resting players returning from extended World Cup breaks, the Gunners controlled the tempo from the outset.

## Dowman's Creative Spark and the Left-Wing Evolution

Dowman was comfortably the most threatening player on the pitch. Following his breakthrough last year, the Hale End teenager underlined why excitement around his ceiling continues to grow. After providing Havertz's 16th-minute opener past former Tottenham goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga, Dowman answered immediately when Girona briefly threatened after the break.

Arnau Martínez had pulled a goal back for the hosts in the 50th minute, powering a header past the Arsenal rearguard from a corner. Just three minutes later, Dowman restored the two-goal cushion by cutting inside onto his favored left foot and driving a powerful, low shot into the bottom corner from outside the area.

Arteta was full of praise for the youngster after the whistle, noting That's what we want. When you play for Arsenal, the expectations should be high and should be expecting really good things. We know what he's capable of doing. Mikel Arteta

On the opposite flank, Christos Tzolis made an immediate impression following his £34m move from Club Brugge. Acting as a livewire on the left, the Greek international demonstrated the positional discipline Arteta demands from his wide players, occupying space and holding width. His 32nd-minute strike—a low, driven effort that took a slight deflection past Gazzaniga—capped an impressive 60-minute cameo.

A player who's very direct. He's got the goal between the eyes, Arteta said of Tzolis. He has a lot of similarities with Leo in a lot of the things that he can do and the spaces he can occupy. Mikel Arteta

## Defensive Depth and Nwaneri's Reintegration

Arsenal's rearguard offered further proof of their terrifying depth. Even without William Saliba, Gabriel, and Jurriën Timber, a back four of Ben White, Piero Hincapié, Christian Mosquera, and Ricardo Calafiori completely neutralized Girona's attack during a first half where the hosts failed to register a single shot on target. Ben White, making his return from a knee injury sustained against West Ham last season, captained the side and helped marshal a defense that limited Girona to scraps.

Gabriel Jesus wrapped up the scoring in the 55th minute, pouncing on a defensive mix-up and a loose ball on the edge of the box to make it 4–1, before a flurry of academy substitutions disjointed the match.

While the attack clicked, Ethan Nwaneri endured a more subdued reintroduction. Returning from a difficult six-month loan spell at Marseille where his minutes dwindled, the 19-year-old midfielder completed all 26 of his pass attempts but lacked the incisiveness and aggression required to unlock Girona's low block in the final third.

## Pre-Season Trajectory

The emphatic win secures the Costa Brava trophy for the Gunners, but Arteta's post-match comments made it clear that internal competition remains the priority. With further activity expected in the transfer market—including pursuits like Bruno Guimaraes—the reigning champions are showing no signs of resting on their laurels.

Arsenal now turn their attention to Dublin, where a fixture against Real Betis awaits on Wednesday as preparations for the defense of their Premier League crown gather pace.

## Sources

- [Jamie Barton](https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/49507029/arsenal-girona-preseason-friendly-max-dowman-christos-tzolis) — original
- [skysports.com](https://www.skysports.com/football/video/30998/13569203/highlights-max-dowman-scores-as-arsenal-thrash-girona-in-pre-season-friendly) — original
- [si.com](https://www.si.com/soccer/four-takeaways-arsenal-girona-preseason-debut-8-1-26) — original
- [Michelle](https://www.justarsenal.com/dowman-and-tzolis-impress-as-arsenal-sweep-aside-girona-in-preseason-friendly/419600) — original
- [footballpresse.com](https://www.footballpresse.com/story/arteta-hails-tzolis-and-dowman-as-arsenal-thrash-girona) — original
- [allfootballapp.com](https://www.allfootballapp.com/articles/4947190-girona-1-4-arsenal-max-dowman) — original
- [lite.apex-football.com](https://lite.apex-football.com/en/news/28243ba0260801en_gb) — original