Mikel Arteta remains without several key players as Arsenal begin their official pre-season campaign with a friendly against Girona in Spain.
Team news and absentees
The Gunners beat MK Dons in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Saturday, but this match is the first opportunity for fans to see Arteta's side in person this summer. All Arsenal players who reached the final weekend of the World Cup with Spain and England are still on holiday. William Saliba is facing an "extended period" out with a back injury. Martin Odegaard has also not yet returned after Norway's run to the World Cup quarter-finals.
Returning players
Arteta's options were strengthened this week by the arrival of Kai Havertz, Viktor Gyokeres and Piero Hincapie for pre-season. Havertz, who was training individually at Bayer Leverkusen's facilities last week, could come straight into the side. Gabriel and Gabriel Martinelli are expected to join up with the squad ahead of the match but are unlikely to play a significant role after only limited training.
Ben White could feature for his first minutes since suffering a knee injury that ended his last season early. He did not play against MK Dons but has been training over the last couple of weeks. Jurrien Timber is expected to need more time after minor groin surgery over the summer.
Youngsters and predicted lineup
Max Dowman and Ethan Nwaneri will both hope to get chances to impress, while Cristhian Mosquera is set to be given another opportunity to show he is ready to fill in for the injured Saliba at centre-back. Christos Tzolis is likely to start and should be sharp, having had two weeks of pre-season and a friendly match with Club Brugge before signing for Arsenal.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Kepa; White, Mosquera, Salmon, Calafiori; Norgaard, Lewis-Skelly; Dowman, Nwaneri, Tzolis; Havertz
Time and date: 7pm BST on Saturday August 1, 2026
Venue: Estadi Montilivi, Girona
How to watch: Arsenal's official app or website
