Arsenal confirmed lineup vs Girona: Christos Tzolis included in Mikel Arteta's XI

The champions are back in action. Less than 10 weeks after Mikel Arteta and his players hoisted the Premier League trophy aloft at Selhurst Park, the Gunners pre-season preparations commence. Arsenal's first of four pre-season friendlies is against Girona at Montilivi in Catalonia on Saturday night, and here is the team Arteta has selected.

Arsenal's confirmed lineup vs Girona

• Kepa Arrizabalaga.

• Benjamin White, Cristhian Mosquera, Piero Hincapié & Riccardo Calafiori.

• Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly & Kai Havertz.

• Max Dowman, Viktor Gyökeres & Christos Tzolis.

• Substitutes: Illan Meslier, Khari Ranson, Marli Salmon, Gabriel Jesus, Fábio Vieira, Reiss Nelson, Andre Harriman-Annous, Demiane Agustien, Brayden Clarke, Louie Copley, Ife Ibrahim, Ceadach O'Neill, Ismeal Kabia, Theo Julienne & Josh Ogunnaike.

He may not be the left-winger everyone is talking about, we'll leave that there, but this will be a first outing in Arsenal colours for Christos Tzolis. The Greek international has arrived from Club Brugge for €40 million, and has enormous shoes to fill, following Leandro Trossard's move to Beşiktaş.

Illan Meslier is the other senior new signing so far. He has arrived on a free transfer from Leeds United, currently the third-choice option, but hoping to see some minutes during pre-season, potentially doing so off the bench in Catalonia.

Returning loaness Fábio Vieira and Reiss Nelson, who you may have forgotten are still Arsenal players, are among the substitutes, You can probably include Gabriel Jesus in this category too, that of players surely not in Arteta's plans, likely to move on before the window closes.

Christian Nørgaard is not involved, after it was reported earlier on Saturday that he will leave the club to join Everton for £7 million.

Which Arsenal players are currently injured?

Arsenal will be without star defender William Saliba "for an extended period" after he exacerbated a back issue during the World Cup. Meantime, Jurriën Timber is still nursing a groin issue suffered in March, while Benjamin White is back, having recovered from the medial ligament injury he sustained at West Ham in May.

Which of Arsenal's World Cup representatives are available?

Some of Arsenal's World Cup players, those whose nations were eliminated early, have joined up with the squad in the last few days. Gabriel, Gabriel Martinelli, Piero Hincapié, Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyökeres have all joined up with the squad in Spain ahead of this clash with Girona. The latter trio all started, with the Brazilian duo not yet available.

Elsewhere, club captain Martin Ødegaard will return soon. However, English quartet Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze as well as Spanish World Cup winning trio, David Raya, Mikel Merino and Martín Zubimendi will all remain on holiday for a little while longer.

What time does Girona vs Arsenal kick off?

This fixtures kicks off at 7pm (BST) and 8pm - local time in Spain.

How can I watch Girona vs Arsenal?

This pre-season fixture is available as a pay-per-view option on Arsenal's official website and costs £6.99. It is also live on various broadcasters around the world. These include FOX One in the United States, beIN SPORTS 2 in Australia and New Zealand, Movistar+ in Spain, DAZN in Canada, Belgium and Brazil as well as Claro Sports in South and Central America.

Arsenal's pre-season schedule

• Saturday 1 August. Girona - Montilivi. Kick off 7pm (BST).

• Wednesday 5 August. Real Betis - Aviva Stadium, Dublin. Kick off 7:30pm (BST).

• Sunday 9 August. Borussia Dortmund - Emirates Stadium, North London. Kick off 2pm (BST).

• Wednesday 12 August. Como - Emirates Stadium, North London. Kick off 7:30pm (BST).

• Sunday 16 August. FA Community Shield. Manchester City - Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. Kick off 3pm (BST).

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow