Arsenal beat Girona 4-1 in the Costa Brava Trophy

Arsenal defeated Girona 4-1 in the forty-ninth Costa Brava Trophy at Montilivi. Four different Arsenal players scored in a clinical preseason performance. Girona competed well, but several defensive openings decided the result.

Kai Havertz and Christos Tzolis established a two-goal lead before half-time. Arnau Martinez reduced the gap after a corner. Max Dowman and Gabriel Jesus then answered within five minutes.

Girona started with energy before Havertz scored

More than thirteen thousand spectators filled Montilivi for the summer fixture. Girona began with confidence despite preparing for a season in Spain’s second division. Arsenal initially faced an organised home midfield.

Dowman created the opening goal after sixteen minutes. His touch and pass released Havertz into a clear finishing position. Havertz kept the attempt controlled and gave Arsenal the early advantage.

Girona continued moving the ball rather than dropping into a deep defensive shape. Bryan Gil and Vladyslav Vanat offered forward runs. Arsenal limited their clear shooting positions during the opening half.

The visitors also used Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori to support attacks from deeper areas. Their passing stretched Girona across the pitch. Space gradually appeared between the home midfield and defence.

Tzolis produced Arsenal’s second goal near the half-hour mark. He carried the ball through pressure and finished the move himself. The goal rewarded Arsenal’s greater efficiency around the penalty area.

Girona reached useful positions without matching that final touch. Paulo Gazzaniga also faced direct pressure after turnovers. Arsenal entered the interval with control of both the score and tempo.

The opening half contained few clear chances beyond the two goals. Arsenal protected the centre and guided Girona toward wider areas. Girona’s crosses rarely found an unmarked attacker.

Mikel Arteta’s side did not require constant possession to create danger. Quick combinations around Dowman and Havertz were enough. That difference made the two-goal margin larger than the general balance suggested.

Arnau Martinez briefly brought Girona back

Girona returned from the interval with sharper movement and stronger pressure. A corner created their best route into Arsenal’s area. Arnau Martinez finished the loose ball and reduced the score after fifty minutes.

The goal rewarded Girona’s strongest passage of the match. Home supporters responded immediately, and the team pushed higher. Arsenal then answered before that momentum could develop.

Dowman collected the ball two minutes later and completed a direct individual attack. His finish restored Arsenal’s two-goal margin. The teenager had now provided both an assist and a goal.

Girona’s defensive line had little time to reorganise after its own goal. Arsenal attacked the newly available space at once. That rapid response became the decisive sequence of the evening.

Ben White supplied the pass for Arsenal’s fourth goal. Gabriel Jesus moved into the area and finished before the sixtieth minute. Three Arsenal goals had now arrived through different types of attack.

The visitors then changed much of their team. Girona also introduced several substitutes, including Cristhian Stuani. His appearance received a strong ovation after his recent contract extension.

Girona kept searching for another goal during the final period. Illan Meslier prevented the best remaining chances. Arsenal protected the three-goal advantage without losing its attacking shape.

The match gave minutes to senior players and several academy prospects. Dowman’s performance provided the clearest individual story. His decisions affected the first and third Arsenal goals directly.

Both teams gained a useful preseason test

Girona has two more friendly matches before its league campaign begins. The team showed useful possession and a strong start after half-time. Defensive recovery after turnovers remained its largest problem.

Arsenal demonstrated finishing quality across several attacking roles. Havertz scored from a created chance, while Tzolis and Dowman built their own openings. Jesus added a central striker’s finish from White’s pass.

The final score did not reflect every competitive period in the match. Girona created pressure and forced Arsenal to defend. Arsenal separated the teams by converting chances immediately.

Montilivi therefore delivered a demanding test rather than a routine exhibition. Girona measured its structure against the English champions. Arsenal left with four scorers and another strong academy contribution.

The five goals also came from five separate players. That spread made the contest useful for both squads. Girona tested Arsenal after the break, while Arsenal answered through two quick finishes.