Arsenal continued their impressive pre-season preparation with a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Spanish side Girona at the Estadi Montilivi on Saturday, August 1, 2026. The headline of the match was the sparkling debut of Greece international winger Christos Tzolis, who completed a £34 million move from Club Brugge just days ago and wasted no time making his mark in the red and white shirt.
Tzolis Makes an Instant Impact
Mikel Arteta handed Tzolis a starting berth on the left wing, and the 24-year-old looked lively from the first whistle, combining effectively with Kai Havertz and Martin Ødegaard. After Havertz opened the scoring in the 15th minute, Tzolis doubled Arsenal's lead on the half-hour mark. Cutting inside from the left flank, he unleashed a powerful low drive that beat the Girona goalkeeper at his near post, sparking celebrations among the traveling Gooners.
Clinical Arsenal Dominate at Montilivi
Arsenal's dominance continued into the second half. Young prospect Max Dowman added a third in the 55th minute with a neat finish after a defensive error from the hosts. Although Girona pulled one back through Arnau Martínez in the 70th minute, Gabriel Jesus sealed the 4-1 win in stoppage time, converting a precise cross from Bukayo Saka. The victory highlights the depth and tactical flexibility Arteta has built ahead of the new Premier League campaign.
Arteta Praises the New Recruit
Speaking to the media after the match, Mikel Arteta expressed his delight with Tzolis's integration. "Christos has shown exactly why we wanted him here," Arteta said. "His work rate, intelligence, and composure in front of goal were outstanding today. It is the perfect start for him, and it gives us another dimension in attack." With Arsenal targeting trophies on multiple fronts, Tzolis's quick adaptation is a major boost for the North London club.
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