Arsenal continued their pre-season schedule in style with an impressive 4-1 victory over Girona in Catalonia, as teenage sensation Max Dowman once again underlined why excitement around the youngster continues to grow.
As reported by Sky Sports, the 16-year-old produced a goal and an assist in a superb individual display, while new summer signing Christos Tzolis also marked the occasion with a goal as Mikel Arteta’s side eased to victory.
Dowman shines once again
It took Arsenal just 16 minutes to break the deadlock, and it was Dowman who created the opener with a moment of real quality.
The teenager turned brilliantly to escape his marker before threading an inch-perfect through ball into the path of Kai Havertz, who calmly finished beyond Paulo Gazzaniga to give the Gunners the lead.
Dowman continued to influence proceedings throughout the opening half and almost found the net himself before Tzolis doubled Arsenal’s advantage on 32 minutes. The Greek winger capped an encouraging second outing with a low effort that took a slight deflection on its way into the bottom corner.
Arsenal quickly respond to Girona setback
Girona briefly threatened to make a contest of it shortly after the restart when Arnau Martinez headed home from a corner to reduce the deficit.
However, Arsenal’s response was immediate.
Just three minutes later, Dowman restored the two-goal cushion, cutting inside onto his favoured left foot before firing a powerful effort beyond the goalkeeper from outside the area.
The Gunners then effectively ended the contest moments later when a defensive mix-up allowed Gabriel Jesus to pounce on a loose ball and calmly finish to make it 4-1.
Another positive step in preparation
Arteta made numerous changes during the second half, with several academy players given valuable minutes as Arsenal comfortably saw out the closing stages.
While pre-season results should always be viewed in context, there were plenty of positives to take from the evening. Dowman continues to look like one of the brightest young talents at the club, while Tzolis made an encouraging first impression with both his performance and his goal.
Attention now turns to Arsenal’s next friendly against Real Betis in Dublin as preparations for the new campaign continue.
Who impressed you most against Girona? Was Max Dowman your standout performer, or did another Gunner catch your eye? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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Fans who paid to watch this on the .com were disappointed to find that it didn’t get broadcast.
arsenal.com for me was down, watched 2. half on youtube. Maybe youtube is a backup, one to keep an eye on if arsenal.com is down for the next 3 games.
👍 It’ll be interesting to see if you’re offered a refund.
Jax,
As I said to you the other day, the new Website page is terrible, and you’re come back to me was that if its not broke, don’t fix it. A sentence I entirely agree with. 👍
Only watched a 13 minute highlight reel
Dowman dived 4 times in that time .
Really needs to cut it out ,can’t stand it personally but I’m sure some will say “but he was breathed on so had to go down “
On Tzolis he looked ok but couldn’t gauge him in that time ,I did read on another forum fans saying
“Already looking like the signing of the season “
“Looks as good as Sanchez when he signed “
And there was a lot more along those lines 😂
Preseason so good to get the players ran out ,results mean zilch ,as long as there are no injuries.
I have to say I agree regards Dowman diving, the way he went down in the box was embarrassing. I hope some one has a word proto with the lad. A very special talent yes, but if that becomes a regular trait then I’ll be calling him out for it all season.
I’ve also said on another post, does anyone share my thoughts regarding a trophy for a friendly. If their was more teams maybe, but it was just a friendly, over the top me thinks.
And as for the Sanchez comparison, how much had they been drinking. 😂👍
Derek, we’re in for two more trophies before the season’s start. The Emirates Cup v Dortmund, and the Community Shield v City.
It all looks good in the trophy cabinet.
Is there a word for seventrapol?🤣
You joke but I can think of a few on here who will count them as trophies
By the time the season starts, most of us will have forgotten. That’s when the “quadrapol” gets underway🤣
Charity Shield is a trophy all the media count.
Although I paid for it, the website didn’t work for me, I thought it was because I was sitting in a farm field it seemed slow like a bandwidth issue.
Both half’s the match was on YouTube.
Our midfield didn’t function very well and protect our defence like I’m used to. I blame Solis, he looks poor. He didn’t actually score imo.
yeah your repeating what I just said lol
I said some will count it as a trophy …….and then you said ….I’m counting it as a trophy lol ….
I count it as a trophy. To get in the shield final you need to win a major trophy, or else you don’t get in the shield final. That makes it a trophy.
Infantatino head of FIFA wants to expand the Community Shield to sixteen teams.
Moon Girl,
Come on now, do you really think that at the start of every season when the management of the big six we’ll say sit down and plan their season. And one of the big things on the agenda is the need to win the Premier League or the FA Cup so they then qualify to play in the Community Shield.
Lets get real here shall we. The community shield is nothing more than the first real competitive game of the season to really gage where the team are at physically, nothing more nothing less.
You’ll be telling us next it’s every players dream to play in one.
You are right. It’s not that. It follows on from winning as all part of the same thing. Like how the Orb and sceptre work as a double act.
You wouldn’t say the orb is a trophy and the sceptre not a trophy would you, or you wouldn’t get coronated.
You see? It’s not standalone from winning the title or the cup, it’s part of a double act. Orb and sceptre, two individual things but the same thing at same time.
what about when a team wins the double so your only there because you finished 2nd
That would be like holding the sceptre with the dove instead of the cross. But still part of the same thing, playing for a trophy as part of doing well.
And if team A done double you as B are there as next nearest thing to being entitled.
It’s an honour really.
I think you miss that it’s not part of this season but last season. If I thought it was part of this season then I wouldn’t regard it as a trophy.
“Infantatino head of FIFA wants to expand the Community Shield to sixteen teams” 🤣🤣🤣🤣. He’s got no control over domestic FAs.
As for you dont necessary have to win a major trophy to participate in the CS. When a team wins the domestic double then either the PL runners up or the runners up from the FA Cup will participate.
Yes we’ve done all that before you showed up.
I’m looking forward to the community shield game.
So what.
I’m also looking forward to it, but not bothered if we win it. Why you may ask ? Well for many years teams that win the CS don’t win the PL.
btw ……
The exact proportion of fans who count it varies, but a typical public poll shows that only about 30% to 35% of football fans consider the Community Shield to be a major trophy.
Talk Sport call it a gloried friendly
Sir Alex wrote he doesn’t count it as a trophy
many media outlets like Sky will won’t include when comparing who won more trophies
The Athletic say it’s not seen as a major honour
so again…..factually not true that all see it as a trophy
Dan,
For me, it’s nice to win but nothing more. And I don’t count it as a trophy to be fair. I just look at the community Shield game as the first real competitive game of the season. And it will be the teams first real test of their fitness levels going into the real stuff the following weekend.
Derek, if it’s a competitive game then it’s a trophy worth winning.
Agreed.
The Community Shield requires *qualification*, not just an invitation like the Emirates Cup.
It’s clearly a proper trophy, albeit a minor and fairly inconsequential one.
I’ve never heard of the athletic so it’s obviously not important. Why would you listen to them not me?
Talk Sport just glorified shock jocks. I expect There’s no one there who doesn’t go d*****g.
Community Shield more of a trophy than the supercup.
no but you said all the media
and no by your logic it is the same
in fact you have to win something to be in the Super Cup
that’s not the case always with the Community Shield
The Athletic has some of the best sports journalists in the world, including famous Gooner Amy Lawrence.
Yeah amazing that anyone claiming to be seriously interested in football hasn’t heard of The Athletic!
They are one of the very few top tier sources.
OOPS!, Pronto. 🤦♂️
Me and my Daddy support Infantino proposal to make money for everyone from the World Cup, it’s a good idea. If grass roots football get money they otherwise wouldn’t get, what’s the harm. None with that.
We think it’s people don’t understand how business works. All the opposition to making the proposed money is people not intelligent enough. Business is about good idea’s and something called thinking outside the box. Football is all about generating money, and there’s lots of boxes in football to think outside of.
My daddies friends are on telly a lot, and that makes them important.
well it’s been rejected than goodness and he’s withdrawn the idea
Sad.
Stupid politics.
Moon Girl. Take it up with UEFA, CONCACAF & AFC. They forced Infantino to drop his, (and the Trump families) self enriching scheme.
MG, try reading up on all the Heads of different countries FA’s who have pocketed money that was meant for the grass roots of their countries football. Another thing, the investment companies that were going to get involved aren’t going to do it for nothing. They’re going to want a big return. Who do you think will end up paying ? Yep, the good ol’ fan.
The uncle of 2 of my mates is an Arsenal legend, so I would say he knows better than you and your Daddy.
You want me to say there are better businessmen than my own Daddy?
Under FFE investors would have got slice of the income generated from broadcasting, sponsorships, ticketing, and licensing and merchandising from FIFA tournaments, capped at 20%.
In return FIFA generated enormous four billion of money from the stake sold from their investors. What’s wrong with that? That’s just straightforward business? That’s exactly how all the prem clubs are actually run. Is it not identical to Staveney buying bit of West Ham this week that’s helped with cash flow and transfers and reinvestment back in the club?
So why not sell 20% for four billion? What are you doing instead with that 20% instead of getting four billion for it.
Now we don’t get that four billion due to stupid people.
If you believe all of that then I have a bridge to sell you.
wasn’t his to sell
Now that is the crux of it
MG, Vanessa Gold hasn’t sold her shares in West Ham just yet as the other shareholders still have a chance to buy those shares. The major shareholder was in talks with Vanessa Gold in June about buying her shares, and that can still happen.
MG, Vanessa Gold hasn’t sold her shares in West Ham just yet as the other shareholders still have a chance to buy those shares. The major shareholder was in talks with Vanessa Gold in June about buying her shares, and that can still happen.
Also if she does sell her shares to AS then the money won’t go to transfers or investment for West Ham, it will go into the bank account of Vanessa Gold.
Infantino’s attempt to enrich himself.
Danny Dyer is “on the telly”😱
Moon Girl,
People thought that Blatter was bad, me included and He was. But Infantino makes Blatter look like a law abiding citizen.
Infantino is bad for football full stop. His sickly cozying up to Trump both pre- World Cup and during the World Cup was nauseating.
And I read this morning that the English FA have written to him telling him it’s their intention to not back him when he runs for re-election.
The community shield is a trophy in my opinion,if not,why play it at all or why have a presentation afterwards.
Charity
You also get a presentation and a cup for the Emirates Cup
I wouldn’t count that as a major trophy
He didn’t say he thinks it’s a *major* trophy.
Teams qualify for it, it’s not an “invitational” like the Emirates Cup. That makes it an actual trophy, albeit a minor one in the scheme of things.
Are you comparing emirate cup with community shield??? Cuz that’s weird!!
Matthew,
Just to say, Arsenal were presented with a trophy for beating Girona in what was a friendly. Should that be included as a trophy.
Believe it or not that Costa Brava Cup is a “local trophy” that has been played for for years. Much like the Emirates Cup. I’d never heard of it.
Those are not “true” trophies, more like commercialized participation prizes.
Are people reacting to the plan after giving it a fair hearing, or reacting to the Balogun decision and not giving it a fair hearing?
It was still on drawing board, not properly fleshed out briefed or launch when media leaked it.
I could easily sold it as good idea myself, just as I have just done for you all on JA.
No they are following the protocol
He shouldn’t be doing anything without sitting down with all members and telling them what the plan is and giving them all the information.
Then he should step back and wait for that to be voted for or against .
So you asking has his idea be heard out , that’s his fault
Instead he arranged the deal and gave the likes of UEFA a deadline to accept
Hence he stopped the idea once it became clear he wasn’t getting the votes
That is their right
Only now , after his bluff was called will he want to sit everyone down and have dialogue
Hence why he can’t be trusted
He got too big for his boots and acted like he owned FIFA .
In this instance you are Exhibit A – you clearly are reacting to the Balugan and Ronaldo decisions, and don’t think Trump deserved his peace prize, and not looking at this plan in isolation – four billion for grassroots football from a magic money tree.
I think we are reacting to the fact that Infantino looks for all the world to be in bed with Trump and his extended family and in the process pocket quite a few millions for himself
I believe there is hardly a shortfall in the billions being held by FIFA
yeah Sue
Simon Jordan said something during the World Cup which is so true
if you watch how he acts , speaks , even sits….it’s like he truly thinks FIFA is a country and he runs it
Where I think the previous regime is corrupt ….I more think the power has gone to this mans head
no literally wasn’t thinking of those situations at all, generally didn’t come into my head
it’s as simply as it’s not for him to make any deals
it’s for him to present information to the members/ associations then vote on it
That’s his job
really is that simple
and I agree with Sue ……..not like the World Cup isn’t making money
Moon Girl,
If you can’t see Infantino for what he clearly is, then no amount of responses from poster’s on here are going to change you’re mind.
I endorse what Dan said to you. He clearly thinks he’s bigger than FIFA, and the fact he did this with no consultation of any note to start with, is alarming at best.
Moon girl has a point. I’m pretty sure many do not understand the details of what Infantino was proposing but have been highly critical of the plan because they have heard that he wants to “sell” the World Cup to private investors. Many have also impugned his motives based on previous perceptions and bias.
Why don’t you actually provide a critique of the plan?
There seems to me to be more than enough evidence in the public domain about the proposals to make me feel very uncomfortable. Are you saying that UEFA and other organisations are ill informed as well?When one of Infantino’s senior aides resigned because the plan hadn’t been discussed and approved before being put to the member groups, that is good enough for me to have serious doubts about Infantino’s credibility. His pandering to Trump was cringeworthy in itself but this latest episode rightfully raises eyebrows.
It’s understandable that there is discomfort. And many people disagree with the plan. There have been reasonable concerns about the process.
However, a lot of discussion in the media about the potential drawbacks of the plan are primarily from a certain western perspective. For many smaller and less wealthy nations the plan could have been a game changer for football in those countries.
Unfortunately, a balanced debate about the pros and cons of the plan have been shutdown due to concerns about Infantino.
but that’s his fault
he didn’t want a balanced debate
he saw a deal and essentially gave everyone an ultimatum
You raise a valid point about smaller nations and the need for more money to grow and support football. I’d like to think as a result of Infantino’s ill advised secretiveness and what appears to be a pre agreement with a venture capitalist related by marriage to Trump’s daughter, results in FIFA taking a hard look at itself whereby it comes up with a more plausible way of financing football in those smaller and/or poorer countries.
a bit misleading as well
you make out this was the one opportunity to make any money
it’s estimated the last World Cup made 15 billion !
every nation that qualified got 12.5 million before a ball was kicked
FIFA distributed a record-breaking $871 million directly to the 48 competing federations.
Every single one of the 211 member federations ( so even though who did not qualify ) is receiving $20 million across the current four-year cycle ending this year.
so let’s not make out FIFA need this deal to make money
No, you are the one misleading. I suggested an analysis of the pros and cons of Infantino’s plan. I also alluded to the difference the proposed plan could have made for poorer countries who often depend on FIFA monies for their grassroots development. I am not sure where you got that $20m from. FIFA do not simply hand out $20m in 4 year cycles. They provide varying amounts of support over each cycle; and this is significantly less than what you have quoted. This is the first time there was supposed to be a guaranteed upfront payment of this size.
I meant your misleading to suggest this is a good deal because it happens to make money for nations
FIFA already do that
hence why they are ( and must remain ) a non profit organisation
money from that World Cup goes back into the game
we don’t need to sell shares to anyone
Again, there is nothing misleading in what I have stated. I suggested a balanced assessment of the pros and cons of the proposal. Or are you disputing the potential for increased money which could benefit smaller nations?
I have in no way claimed that this was the only way FIFA have or could have made money.
As I also alluded to before it is not true that every country would have received $20m over the last World Cup cycle as this is not the way things work.
no it’s my fault for not wording it clear
the 20 million is what they are currently offering if peeps signed up
my overall point is FIFA makes money already that is pumped back into the game and will continue to make money so we don’t need to sell anything
“due to concerns about Infantino…enriching himself and the Trump family’s inlaws?
it’s actually quite wrong to assume that just because some don’t agree .
I have my own opinion but sometimes you take the emotion out of things and deal with facts …..
the fact is what we think is irrelevant ,some of the FIFA members ( who will know the pros and cons more then us ) have rejected the idea .
Now the FIFA president could have sat down and and tried to sell it to them with a presentation or a pitch but instead he gave them an ultimatum and a deadline
he’s got no right to that
FIFA isn’t his ….. FIFA conceptions are not his
competitions
…and for his troubles, he’ll be out of work anytime soon.
Now you are exhibit B as well. Just focussing on the politics not the business proposal being good or not.
Doing business well needs the focus purely on the transaction to ignore any vibe or shade or politics. Doing business is about logic, whilst politics is about vibe and it gets in the way of business deals. This why “people good at business have high IQs.” Who said that quote?
Donald Trump.
MG, not sure if you know it but Donald Trump has had quite a few businesses that failed. So his IQ can’t be that high.
Moon Girl,
Is this the same Donald Trump who’s big IQ is bombing the living daylights out of a certain country at the moment.
Yes a very IQ indeed. I think not.
I literally have not mentioned politics lol
Look at your post, you said you trust eufa judgement on the proposal.
But Eufa and fifa do nothing but constantly play politics with each other!
The whole get infantilo and don’t let him get away with anything, of course is politics.
I’m the one not bringing politics into it. I talk business. A strait forward business proposal – investors give four billion – that’s a lot of money – to grass roots football around the world, lifting up the little poor nations, England should not get any of it already raking in Prem League wealth and power would be cheeky and bad to expect any, in return investors get to have just 20%, just one fifth of profits made on fifa competitions. What is so horrible and outrageous?
The reporting of it all on our telly and papers was so far from helpful in being straight about it. Media didn’t honestly help us by explain it, they just enjoyed the hunt and ripping to pieces their latest victim.
But it is FIFA pres job to think outside the box like this, to raise investment in football. How can proposing this not be part of his job? 🤷♀️
I have not mentioned politics
if your asking me my own personal opinion I will tell you but my point is it doesn’t matter because those who’s responsibility it is to vote are not in favour , it’s a mute point
because he didn’t propose it , he essentially said you got till this date ….if your with me you get this much ….if you don’t …..you get nothing
it’s not his to sell
hence why there is the backlash …..FIFA is a non profit organisation…not essentially we will sell part of the revenue streams that make the most money
Good governance is much more important than money. There are governments in the world that somehow satisfy the needs of their citizens at the expense of denying them basic rights like freedom of speech and democratic values. I can’t measure Infantino by the money metrics alone. Even in that metric UEFA is much better than FIFA
Community Shield is an important title. You would feel it if we lose to a direct title rival. Friendlies or Emirates Cup are hand picked opponents but not at CS. Psychologically it brings good feeling, omen emboldens fans, improves confidence trust. COYG
I can’t understand those who demean the value of a Community Shield though everyone is entitled to making his/her opinions. Even more so an important title when opponents are bitter ones like City, Liverpool and Utd.
If you don’t forget Kloop and Pep were shattered unable to utter a word on the pitch when Arteta’s Arsenal beat them in the CS at Wembley. The current one is in a different venue Cardiff and we need it badly so do Marseca who I think is unbeaten v Arteta. COYG
he’s not unbeaten against Arteta unless you mean the other way round ?
Community Shield – yeah you rather win it but you get over it the next day if you lost
why should i get incensed, feel down even that evening and night? may my friends who don’t want to see Arsenal win and lift a trophy take that undesirable feat
I think they were partly so upset because losing to Arteta made it clear there was a third party starting to seriously challenge their Premier League stranglehold!
OUTfantino. Strong alliance involving the FA was formed to oust him. They implement non-cooperation strategies unless he steps down. We’ll see who comes to his rescue. Only Qatar Morocco this Caf and of course Trump are his backers
Amba, OUTfantino, that tickled me 😂😂
For the blockbuster Community Shield battle against Manchester City, the ref Gooners like is appointed: SAM BARROT. It’ll be the 2nd trophy within a week if Arsenal tackle Dortmund in the Emirates Cup.
Arsene Wenger needed more than a week to distance himself from the new FIFA plan. He did it after the plan was scrapped and seeing the backlash of the world at large. He may have felt Infantino’s days are numbered. He’s amongst the 18 FIFA executives whose data shall be subject to lawyers’ scrutiny.
mate it’s so transparent now and desperate lol
but you actually don’t know what your talking about and it’s cringe
there are emails for example where the
Secretary General was kept in the dark !
Think about that for the moment , Infatino didn’t even feel that his second in command might need to know about a proposal worth billions .
so if he’s not telling him , he’s not telling Mr Wenger
how long by the way do CAF need ?
The British media are circling over Wenger. I’m not saying it’s right or wrong but they do love a story and Wenger’s outward silence in my view, hasn’t been helpful to his reputation
100%
Caf dies with the ‘perfect’ Infantino. Too loyal to him. They were anticipating to collect the promised 20m. I even don’t believe the innocence game of Wenger. He may behave as if he knew nothing. AP says he’s amongst the interrogated. Let’s wait for the findings before
then your ignoring facts and common sense
it’s actually embarrassing how you are ignoring facts
Breaking: D-Day for Infantino as FIFA holds crisis meeting tomorrow. He may step down! PM Burnham said he is the wrong man to lead FIFA. He is no more trustworthy entrusted for billions people and finance governance
HERE WE GO……… GUIMARAES!