“We have now tried to seek out completely different sorts of groups with completely different propositions, with completely different contexts,” Gunners head coach Mikel Arteta advised the membership’s official channels.
“We have now to have the ambition to go and assault the following [campaign]. I actually wish to really feel that power and spirit proper from the start.
“My ambition is that, each day, we nail the requirements and the necessities on the day to be higher the next day.
“That’s the factor we’ve got to manage: sustaining that ambition, self-discipline, dedication and optimistic power by 11 months.
“If all of us obtain that, we’re going to be in a extremely sturdy place in Could.”
Girona made their Champions League debut within the league section in 2024/25 however had been relegated from La Liga final season, main to move coach Michel – who has since taken over at Ajax – leaving the membership after 5 years.
Owned by the Metropolis Soccer Group that additionally controls golf equipment together with Manchester Metropolis, Girona have now appointed former Barcelona youth coach Quique Alvarez as Michel’s successor.
“We’re very excited to have fun this particular version of the Costa Brava Trophy in opposition to world-class opponents,” stated the previous Barcelona defender and Spain youth worldwide.
“For the followers, it’s a good looking event. We have now good emotions; there’s pleasure and eagerness.”
Captain Christian Stuani says dealing with a group of Arsenal’s “stature” will assist Girona “develop and put together” for his or her aggressive season, which begins on August 16, 5 days earlier than the English membership launch the 2026/27 Premier League season at dwelling to Coventry Metropolis.
“It’s a trophy that’s essential to us,” stated Stuani. “We at all times wish to win it. It will be nice for it to remain at dwelling.”
Girona v Arsenal group information
Girona have added 6ft 7in Ukrainian ahead Oleksandr Pyshchur from Hungarian membership ETO.
“Oleg has unimaginable bodily attributes that may nonetheless be developed and enhanced,” sporting director Qique Carcel stated final month.
“He wants time to adapt. He can be a really distinguished participant who finishes very effectively with each toes. He can adapt very effectively to the second division.”
Fellow 21-year-old Izan Gonzalez may function in midfield after becoming a member of from fifth-tier membership Cornella.
Former Actual Madrid B and Spain youth midfielder Ivan Morante has signed from second-tier group Burgos.
Ben White is a part of Arsenal’s squad because the defender continues his comeback from a long-term knee harm however full-back Jurrien Timber has left the camp due to a groin drawback.
Of Arsenal’s gamers to function on the World Cup 2026, defenders Piero Hincapie and Gabriel Magalhaes, winger Gabriel Martinelli and forwards Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz might be concerned.
A number of Arsenal academy prospects are hoping to function.
Girona v Arsenal predicted line ups in pre season pleasant
Girona beginning XI: Vladyslav Krapyvtsov, Fran Beltran, Dawda Camara, Bryan Gil, Gibert Jordana, David Lopez, Ivan Martin, Gabriel Misehouy, Alex Moreno, Abel Ruiz, Antal Yaakobishvili
Arsenal beginning XI: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Louie Copley, Cristhian Mosquera, Reuell Walters, Riccardo Calafiori, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri, Reiss Nelson, Max Dowman, Christos Tzolis, Gabriel Jesus
The place to observe Girona v Arsenal: TV channel, on-line stay stream
Kick-off on Saturday is at 19:00 BST (14:00 ET / 11:00 PT). Stay TV protection within the UK and a few territories is on Arsenal’s website.
Streaming is on the accompanying app. A match cross prices £6.99 or a pre-season cross to observe 4 Arsenal friendlies is £14.99.
Girona v Arsenal: Pre season pleasant stats
- Whereas Arsenal gained the English title final season, Girona’s eight-match dropping runs at first and finish of their marketing campaign ensured they completed nineteenth in La Liga
- Their factors complete of 41 would have stored them up in every of the earlier 14 seasons
- Two of their squad – goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga and winger Bryan Gil – used to play for Spurs, whereas Donny van der Beek (Manchester United) and 39-year-old Stuani (Middlesbrough) even have Premier League expertise
- Girona have gained the final 5 editions of the trophy match, beating Wolves, Espanyol, Lazio, Membership Bolivar and a Barcelona Legends group
- Their final defeat within the contest was a 1-0 loss to Montpellier in 2019, though they beat Tottenham 4-1 and Manchester Metropolis 1-0 within the years instantly previous that sport
- Fulham had been the primary group to compete for the trophy when the occasion was held as a four-team spectacle in 1973
- Each of Girona’s aggressive European matches in opposition to English golf equipment have been at dwelling, dropping 1-0 to Liverpool and 2-1 to Arsenal within the Champions League two seasons in the past
- Arsenal took on two Spanish sides in pre-season in 2025/26, dropping to Villarreal after regular time and in a subsequent penalty shootout on the Emirates Stadium earlier than reversing their fortunes in each situations in opposition to Athletic Membership at dwelling three days later
- They had been unbeaten in 4 aggressive conferences with Spanish golf equipment final season, beating Athletic Membership and Atletico Madrid in the course of the Champions League group stage earlier than drawing away to Atleti and beating them at dwelling within the semi-finals
- Having misplaced on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain within the Champions League last in Budapest in Could, Arsenal have did not win 5 of their final eight video games away from the Emirates Stadium (W3 L3 D2)
Girona v Arsenal: Pre season pleasant prediction
Girona 2-1 Arsenal
Girona are maybe extra incentivised than Arsenal to win the trophy and may take benefit if Arteta fields an inexperienced group. Six of the final 9 of those matches have been determined by a objective or penalties.
