Arsenal XI vs Girona: White and Tzolis start pre-season friendly

Ben White and Christos Tzolis have been handed starts by Mikel Arteta for Arsenal's first official pre-season match against Girona at Estadi Montilivi.

The Gunners began their summer with a behind-closed-doors win over MK Dons on Saturday, but this evening's fixture gives supporters their first chance to watch Arteta's side in person ahead of the new season.

Team news and absentees

Several first-team players are still away after international duty. Those who featured until the final weekend of the World Cup with Spain and England are on holiday, while William Saliba is facing an "extended period" on the sidelines with a back injury. Martin Odegaard has also yet to report for pre-season after helping Norway reach the quarter-finals.

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Kai Havertz, Viktor Gyokeres and Piero Hincapie have all started their pre-season this week and are involved. Havertz, who trained individually at Bayer Leverkusen's facilities last week, goes straight into the starting lineup. Gabriel and Gabriel Martinelli are expected to join the squad ahead of the match but are left out after only limited training.

White returns and Tzolis starts

White makes his first appearance since a knee injury ended his last season early. Jurrien Timber, meanwhile, is expected to need more time to recover after undergoing minor groin surgery over the summer. Max Dowman and Ethan Nwaneri are given opportunities to impress, while Cristhian Mosquera is set for another chance to cover the injured Saliba at centre-back.

Tzolis completes the front three and should be sharp after two weeks of pre-season and a friendly match with Club Brugge before signing for Arsenal.