Dowman dazzles and debutant Tzolis scores as Arsenal dominate Girona

Max Dowman dazzled with a goal and an assist as Arsenal recorded a dominant 4-1 win against Girona in their pre-season game at Montilivi in Catalonia. <p>The 16-year-old was at the heart of everything good for Arsenal, including their opener, where he produced a brilliant turn and through-ball to Kai Havertz, who slotted a composed finish past Paulo Gazzaniga with aplomb, before Christos Tzolis - who impressed on debut - got in on the act with a deflected finish that nestled in the bottom corner and doubled the Gunners' lead.</p><p>A brief Girona fightback just after half-time - propelled by an Arnau Martinez header from a corner - was short-lived, as a determined Dowman blasted a powerful finish from outside the box home just three minutes after Arsenal conceded, and a defensive mix-up for Girona saw Gabriel Jesus pounce on a loose ball on the edge of the box and put the game to bed.</p><p>A plethora of changes for both sides followed, and a make-shift line-up filled with academy products saw Mikel Arteta's side to victory before the Gunners head to Dublin to face Real Betis on Wednesday.</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.skysports.com/football/girona-vs-arsenal/live/562155"><strong>As it happened: Girona 1-4 Arsenal</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.skysports.com/football/live-blog/11670/13025486/arsenal-transfer-news-rumours-and-gossip-live-updates-and-latest-on-deals-signings-loans-and-contracts"><strong>Arsenal news and transfers</strong></a> <strong>| </strong><a href="https://www.skysports.com/arsenal-scores-fixtures/2026-08-01" target="_blank"><strong>Arsenal's 2026/27 fixtures</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://qrcode.skysports.com/skysports/ContentPromo" target="_blank"><strong>Download the Sky Sports app</strong></a> <strong>| </strong><a href="https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13056245/sky-sports-on-whatsapp-how-to-follow-our-channel-for-the-latest-news-features-and-highlights" target="_blank"><strong>Get Sky Sports on WhatsApp</strong></a></li></ul><widget id="2"></widget><h3>The key moments from Catalonia</h3><p>16: <strong>GOAL</strong>! Dowman produces a magic moment with a beautiful turn that takes Moreno out of the game, and then provides an inch-perfect pass into the path of Havertz, who is clean through and slots neatly into the bottom left corner.</p><p>17: <strong>BIG CHANCE!</strong> Lewis-Skelly neatly feeds Havertz through with a lofted ball, but his low cross is batted away by Gazzaniga.</p><p>26:<strong> CLOSE!</strong> Tzolis is found with a neat through-ball from Calafiori setting him through on goal - his choice to pass is the wrong one and Gyokeres can't sort his feet out before a Girona player can stick a foot in, and Dowman's eventual shot from the loose ball is blocked.</p><p>32: <strong>GOAL!</strong> Tzolis is rewarded for a brilliant first 30 minutes in an Arsenal shirt when his low, driven effort takes a light deflection and nestles into the bottom left corner.</p><p>50: <strong>GOAL! </strong>Girona corner meets the head of Girona skipper Martinez, who heads powerfully into the top left corner after a steaming run into the box.</p><p>53: <strong>GOAL! </strong>Dowman's<strong> </strong>powerful shot finds a way past the 'keeper and in after cutting inside on his favoured left foot.</p><p>55: <strong>GOAL! </strong>A ricocheted ball trickles agonisingly backwards and towards an unmarked Jesus in the box, who finishes with aplomb.</p> <widget id="3"></widget><h3>Dowman and Tzolis give Arsenal embarrassment of riches in attack</h3><p>Arsenal were missing five of the seven attackers who featured in their Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain but those omissions were barely noticeable during an excellent attacking display by Mikel Arteta's men.</p><p>Dowman's undeniable creative flair - in conjunction with a seemingly reinvigorated Havertz - provides another competent option at No 10, already a position of strength with captain Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze still to return from extended breaks after the World Cup.</p><p>Tzolis - another new option in the Arsenal attack - appears to be far more than just an able deputy on the wing, acting as a livewire for much of his 60-minute cameo after linking up brilliantly with Riccardo Calafiori down the left in the opening half hour. His debut goal was just reward for an impressive and rounded performance from the outset.</p> <widget id="4"></widget><p>The ever-metronomic Myles Lewis-Skelly also appears to have picked up where he left off last season, after his form in Arsenal's title run-in was such a crucial facet of their Premier League success.</p><p>Usually known for his work-rate and defensive acumen, it was his progressive passing that caught the eye against Girona. The midfielder produced intelligent forward passing whenever he was afforded space, most notably linking up with fellow academy graduate Dowman for Arsenal's third.</p><p>Arsenal's attack took much of the blame for their wobbles last campaign but - judging by their performance in Catalonia - it could be one of the champions' strongest assets this season.</p><h3>Arteta brushes off Vini Jr links but says club 'very ambitious'</h3><p>Arteta says the club "are very ambitious" and "are really active" in the summer transfer market amid a move for <strong>Real Madrid</strong> star <strong>Vinicius Junior</strong>.</p><p><em>Sky Sports News</em> understands the Spanish giants have no intention of selling the Brazil international and are confident he will agree a new contract.</p><p>This is despite the Gunners' interest, with the Premier League champions monitoring his situation closely, with him having a year remaining on his current deal.</p> <widget id="5"></widget><p>Arsenal have signed just two new players this summer after the arrivals of <strong>Christos Tzolis</strong> and <strong>Illan Meslier</strong>.</p><p>Asked whether there will be more signings, Arteta told reporters: "Well, we are really active, t...

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