Premier League champions Arsenal begin their pre-season campaign against Girona at Estadi Montilivi on Saturday, August 1, 2026, with manager Mikel Arteta prioritizing match fitness and injury prevention above the final scoreline, according to club reports. The fixture offers supporters a first proper chance to watch summer signing Christos Tzolis following his initial outing in a behind-closed-doors match.
Match Details, Kick-Off Time, and Streaming Information
The pre-season friendly is scheduled for a 7pm BST kick-off in Spain. According to club scheduling details, the match will not be broadcast live on standard television channels in the UK. Instead, Arsenal are offering coverage directly through their official website and mobile app.
Fans wanting to watch the action can purchase a single match pass priced at £6.99, or opt for a streaming bundle covering the entire pre-season schedule for an early bird rate of £9.99. That bundle price increases to £14.99 at 9am BST on matchday, according to ticketing notices. Standard Sport will also run a live matchday blog featuring analysis from Matt Verri.
Arsenal Team News and Squad Status
Arteta takes a near-full-strength squad to Spain, though several senior players remain absent following extended summer breaks after the World Cup. According to squad updates, Brazil internationals Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhães have rejoined the group alongside Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz.
Defensive options remain restricted as Jurrien Timber has reported for pre-season training while continuing to manage an ongoing injury that keeps him out of contention. Meanwhile, William Saliba faces a multi-month recovery period due to a back problem. Summer arrival Tzolis is expected to feature after appearing in a recent behind-closed-doors defeat against MK Dons.
Did you know? The only previous meeting between Arsenal and Girona took place during the league phase of the 2024/25 Champions League campaign, where Arsenal secured a 2-1 comeback victory courtesy of a Jorginho penalty and a late winner from Ethan Nwaneri.
Girona Squad and Opponent Outlook
Girona enters the fixture with several recognizable names in their ranks. According to match previews, the Spanish side could field former Manchester United man Donny van de Beek, Morocco World Cup star Azzedine Ounahi, and former Tottenham star Bryan Gil.
While Arteta’s primary goal centers on building physical stamina across the squad without sustaining injuries, the Arsenal manager expects a win against second-tier opposition at Estadi Montilivi.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Girona vs Arsenal pre-season match?
The match takes place on Saturday, August 1, 2026, with a 7pm BST kick-off at Estadi Montilivi.
How can I watch Girona vs Arsenal live in the UK?
The game will not be shown on live TV. Supporters can stream the match via Arsenal’s official website and app by purchasing a £6.99 pay-per-view pass or an early bird pre-season bundle for £9.99.
Who are the notable new signings expected to play for Arsenal?
Summer signing Christos Tzolis is in line to make his full debut after featuring in a recent behind-closed-doors friendly against MK Dons.
Have these two teams played each other before?
Yes, their only previous meeting occurred in the 2024/25 Champions League league phase, which Arsenal won 2-1 after goals from Jorginho and Ethan Nwaneri.
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