# “Arsenal begins pre-season against Girona with new additions to the squad.”

- URL: https://apitofinal.pt/en/internacional-en/arsenal-kicks-off-pre-season-against-girona-with-new-additions-to-the-squad/
- Published: 2026-07-31T13:49:43+00:00
- Updated: 2026-07-31T13:57:08+00:00
- Publisher: Apito Final (apitofinal.pt)
- Section: Internacional
- Tags: Arsenal, Christos Tzolis, Girona, Manchester City, Viktor Gyokeres

## Key points

- O Arsenal vai disputar o seu primeiro jogo de pré-temporada este sábado, contra o Girona, na Catalunha.
- Os novos reforços Viktor Gyokeres e Christos Tzolis são os jogadores que os adeptos vão acompanhar com mais atenção.
- O jogo, no Estadi Montilivi às 14h (hora de Lisboa), será transmitido apenas no site e na app do Arsenal, sem TV.

## Article

Arsenal is set to play its first pre-season match this Saturday in Catalonia, where it will face Girona. This encounter is a crucial moment for the Gunners, who are looking to remain strong in the fight for the [Premier League](https://apitofinal.pt/en/internacional-en/chelsea-sentenced-to-a-fine-of-10-million-and-transfer-ban/) title, especially considering the pressure they feel from Manchester City.

The Catalan team, which is part of the City Football Group, had a difficult last season, having been relegated just two seasons after a surprising campaign that took them to third place and into Europe. Managed by Quique Alvarez, a former central defender for Villarreal, the Blanquivermells have players like Cristhian Stuani, the 39-year-old captain who has already scored 147 goals in 311 games for the club.

For this match, Arsenal will not be able to count on all its players due to extended participation in the [World Cup](https://apitofinal.pt/en/internacional-en/gianni-infantino-faces-strong-rejection-after-controversial-proposals/). However, fans will be watching two new signings: Viktor Gyokeres and Christos Tzolis, who promise to bring new dynamics to the team. With the presence of players like David Raya, Martin Zubimendi, and Mikel Merino, who won the World Cup with the Spanish national team, Mikel Arteta's squad is still recovering from a 21-day rest period, as advised by FIFA.

William Saliba, who did not participate in the third-place match due to a back injury, is also out, raising questions about who will take the field. Brazilians Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli are back, along with Tzolis. The expectation is that these players will make a difference, while Gyokeres and Piero Hincapie, also part of the squad, join the action.

The match will take place at the Estadi Montilivi, with the kickoff scheduled for 2:00 PM (Lisbon time). Fans will be able to follow the game through the Arsenal website and app, although no television broadcast is planned. This is a match not only to test the new signings but also to start fine-tuning the team for the upcoming season.