After one of the greatest campaigns in their modern history, Arsenal got their preseason underway in style as they beat Girona 4-1 in Catalunya.
Goals from Kai Havertz, Christos Tzolis, Max Dowman and Gabriel Jesus proved the difference as the Gunners showed their class against a side which was relegated from LaLiga last season.
The game marked the culmination of a week’s training camp in Catalunya for the Premier League champions, who are set to play three more friendlies after Saturday’s opener.
Despite having a number of first-team regulars make it to the final weekend of the World Cup, Arsenal named a strong side.
The game against Girona was the first of two consecutive matches against Spanish opposition, with Arsenal set to play Real Betis at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Wednesday, Aug 5.
After that, they will return to the Emirates for an intriguing clash against Borussia Dortmund on Sunday, Aug. 9, before rounding out their friendlies when they host Como on Wednesday, Aug. 12.
There is, of course, one more game for Mikel Arteta’s side before they open the Premier League season against Coventry, and that is the Community Shield.
They are set to face Manchester City at Wembley on Sunday, Aug. 16.
The preseason games will offer the chance for Arsenal fans more opportunities to see new signing Tzolis after he arrived from Club Brugge in the summer, alongside Illan Meslier and Piero Hincapié, the latter of which was, of course, already on loan at Arsenal from Bayer Leverkusen last season.
As for Girona, they get their Segunda División season underway five days before Arsenal begin the Premier League campaign. The Catalan side are set to host CD Leganes at the Estadi Montilivi on Sunday, Aug. 16.
