Arsenal will have silverware to play for when they start their pre-season schedule by visiting Spanish side Girona on Saturday.
The contest is the Costa Brava Trophy match, which has been organised every year since 1970 and featured the likes of Wolves, Tottenham and Manchester City in recent years.
“We have tried to find different kinds of teams with different propositions, with different contexts,” Gunners head coach Mikel Arteta told the club’s official channels.
“We have to have the ambition to go and attack the next [campaign]. I really want to feel that energy and spirit right from the beginning.
“My ambition is that, daily, we nail the standards and the requirements on the day to be better the following day.
“That’s the thing we have to control: maintaining that ambition, discipline, commitment and positive energy through 11 months.
“If we all achieve that, we’re going to be in a really strong position in May.”
Girona made their Champions League debut in the league phase in 2024/25 but were relegated from La Liga last season, leading to head coach Michel – who has since taken over at Ajax – leaving the club after five years.
Owned by the City Football Group that also controls clubs including Manchester City, Girona have now appointed former Barcelona youth coach Quique Alvarez as Michel’s successor.
Ethan Nwaneri Nets Screamer | Girona 1-2 Arsenal | UEFA Champions League Highlights
“We are very excited to celebrate this special edition of the Costa Brava Trophy against world-class opponents,” said the former Barcelona defender and Spain youth international.
“For the fans, it’s a beautiful occasion. We have good feelings; there’s excitement and eagerness.”
Captain Christian Stuani says facing a team of Arsenal’s “stature” will help Girona “grow and prepare” for their competitive season, which starts on August 16, five days before the English club launch the 2026/27 Premier League season at home to Coventry City.
“It’s a trophy that is important to us,” said Stuani. “We always want to win it. It would be great for it to stay at home.”
Girona v Arsenal team news
Girona have added 6ft 7in Ukrainian forward Oleksandr Pyshchur from Hungarian club ETO.
“Oleg has incredible physical attributes that can still be developed and enhanced,” sporting director Qique Carcel said last month.
Arsenal’s Kai Havertz
“He needs time to adapt. He will be a very prominent player who finishes very well with both feet. He can adapt very well to the second division.”
Fellow 21-year-old Izan Gonzalez could feature in midfield after joining from fifth-tier club Cornella.
Former Real Madrid B and Spain youth midfielder Ivan Morante has signed from second-tier team Burgos.
Ben White is part of Arsenal’s squad as the defender continues his comeback from a long-term knee injury but full-back Jurrien Timber has left the camp because of a groin problem.
Of Arsenal’s players to feature at the World Cup 2026, defenders Piero Hincapie and Gabriel Magalhaes, winger Gabriel Martinelli and forwards Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz could be involved.
Several Arsenal academy prospects are hoping to feature.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta celebrates his side’s win over Atletico Madrid
Girona v Arsenal predicted line ups in pre season friendly
Girona starting XI: Vladyslav Krapyvtsov, Fran Beltran, Dawda Camara, Bryan Gil, Gibert Jordana, David Lopez, Ivan Martin, Gabriel Misehouy, Alex Moreno, Abel Ruiz, Antal Yaakobishvili
Arsenal starting XI: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Louie Copley, Cristhian Mosquera, Reuell Walters, Riccardo Calafiori, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri, Reiss Nelson, Max Dowman, Christos Tzolis, Gabriel Jesus
Where to watch Girona v Arsenal: TV channel, online live stream
Kick-off on Saturday is at 19:00 BST (14:00 ET / 11:00 PT). Live TV coverage in the UK and some territories is on Arsenal’s website.
Streaming is on the accompanying app. A match pass costs £6.99 or a pre-season pass to watch four Arsenal friendlies is £14.99.
Girona v Arsenal: Champions League final 2025/26 stats
While Arsenal won the English title last season, Girona’s eight-match losing runs at the start and end of their campaign ensured they finished 19th in La Liga
Their points total of 41 would have kept them up in each of the previous 14 seasons
Two of their squad – goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga and winger Bryan Gil – used to play for Spurs, while Donny van der Beek (Manchester United) and 39-year-old Stuani (Middlesbrough) also have Premier League experience
Girona have won the last five editions of the trophy match, beating Wolves, Espanyol, Lazio, Club Bolivar and a Barcelona Legends team
Their last defeat in the contest was a 1-0 loss to Montpellier in 2019, although they beat Tottenham 4-1 and Manchester City 1-0 in the years immediately preceding that game
Fulham were the first team to compete for the trophy when the event was held as a four-team spectacle in 1973
Both of Girona’s competitive European matches against English clubs have been at home, losing 1-0 to Liverpool and 2-1 to Arsenal in the Champions League two seasons ago
Arsenal took on two Spanish sides in pre-season in 2025/26, losing to Villarreal after normal time and in a subsequent penalty shootout at the Emirates Stadium before reversing their fortunes in both instances against Athletic Club at home three days later
They were unbeaten in four competitive meetings with Spanish clubs last season, beating Athletic Club and Atletico Madrid during the Champions League group stage before drawing away to Atleti and beating them at home in the semi-finals
Having lost on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final in Budapest in May, Arsenal have failed to win five of their last eight games away from the Emirates Stadium (W3 L3 D2)
Girona v Arsenal: Pre season friendly prediction
Girona 2-1 Arsenal
Girona are perhaps more incentivised than Arsenal to win the trophy and can take advantage if Arteta fields an inexperienced team. Six of the last nine of these matches have been decided by a goal or penalties.
