Predicted Arsenal XI for first pre-season game vs Girona after Monday's training return

Mikel Arteta will have a depleted squad to select from when Arsenal open their pre-season campaign against Girona in Spain on August 1st.

The Gunners returned to training on Monday, with Arteta overseeing his first session after the summer break. The focus from the outset will be on building fitness, before the Spaniard switches to tactical concerns in a few weeks, ahead of the 2026/27 season.

Girona await at the Estadi Municipal de Montilivi in Arsenal's curtain-raiser, with the Spanish side building for their own season - the City Group-owned club take on Leganes in La Liga on August 16th.

The North Londoners fly to Catalonia a few days before the friendly, and Arteta will have few options available to him for the fixture. 15 Arsenal stars were at the World Cup, none of whom have returned to Sohba Realty to commence their preparations for the new season.

How Arsenal could line-up against Girona

Only 11 senior outfield players returned to training on Monday, all of whom should be be available to play against Girona.

That said, this does prevent Arteta from trying anything particularly inventive, as he'll ultimately just be forced to select almost everyone actually available.

That said, the likes of Kai Havertz, Piero Hincapie and Viktor Gyokeres could all return to training early next week, potentially putting them in contention. All three players would've enjoyed the recommended four-week break after their respective World Cup exits, and this should mean they at least make the bench, potentially with four or five days of training in their system.

Additionally, the signing of Christos Tzolis was announced on Thursday, so there's no reason why the Greek couldn't be involved in Spain.

In goal, one of Kepa Arrizabalaga or new signing Illan Meslier will likely get the nod with David Raya out. They'll probably play a half each, perhaps with Meslier favoured from the start merely so he can get his first outing immediate outing for the Gunners.

At right-back, Ben White is back in training after recovering from his MCL injury. Jurrien Timber is said to be close to a return, but it's unlikely he'll be ready in time to feature in Spain.

That said, due to a lack of senior centre-backs - with both William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes absent - 16-year-old Marli Salmon could be granted an opportunity in this position. This would allow Ben White to slot in centrally, which may help him physically in his first match back for some time, as he'll have less ground to cover. Cristhian Mosquera will partner the former Brighton man.

Riccardo Calafiori has enjoyed a summer off after Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup, and thus, he should be fit and raring to go when Girona rolls around.

Midfield is where Arteta will be really depleted, with Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino and Martin Odegaard all unavailable. It appears unlikely a deal for Bruno Guimaraes won't have come to fruition by the time Arsenal visit northeastern Spain, meaning Christian Norgaard may be called upon at the base of the Gunners' midfield.

The Dane will likely partner Myles Lewis-Skelly, while Ethan Nwaneri is the most likely candidate to play as the most advanced midfielder.

As for the front three, Arteta has very little choice. Tzolis should be in line to make his debut, while Max Dowman is the most likely option for the right wing, given Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke's exploits with England.

Up front, with Havertz and Gyokeres only back in training a matter of days at that point, Gabriel Jesus may make one of his final appearances in a red and white shirt.

Forgotten men Reiss Nelson and Fabio Vieira could be used off the bench.

Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Girona: Meslier, Salmon, White, Mosquera, Calafiori, Norgaard, Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri, Dowman, Jesus, Tzolis.

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