Why Viktor Gyokeres shouted at Max Dowman as Gabriel Heinze makes Mikel Arteta laugh

Arsenal scored four goals in their first official pre-season clash of the summer with new boy Christos Tzolis getting on the scoresheet too. It was the perfect chance to start the summer in the right way despite many big players still missing.

With all the noise around transfers, it was perhaps little surprise that Mikel Arteta was asked all about Vini Jr after the game but gave only a wry smile and a quick comment. But he did discuss plenty on the need for his side to strengthen.

But the game was played in front of a packed Girona crowd and while those at home might’ve been struggling with online social media posts complaining about the coverage, in the Spanish town, we got to see some things most might have missed.

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Gabriel Heinze makes Mikel laugh

After the game, the reporters headed down to the mixed zone to speak to Mikel Arteta. We were herded through the walkway outside the player dressing room. It contained several exercise bikes for the players to help with recovery.

But it was coach Gabriel Heinze who clearly felt he needed to warm down after even just a pre-season game. Arteta coming out, spotting the Argentine brought a smile to the Spaniard’s face who gave him a bit of a hug – although if Heinze was anything like me in the 30-plus degree heat, Mikel almost certainly would have regretted that decision.

Gabriel gets involved

As with many a pre-season game, the crowd likes to create more of a laid-back party atmosphere. Often a Mexican wave is witnessed and that is exactly what we got.

However, with so many Arsenal players here, the usual dugouts were not big enough and rows of temporary seating were set up in front of the fans. Gabriel Magalhaes, not involved, having only just returned from his holidays, spotted this and made sure to get involved and even gave his international teammate Gabriel Martinelli a poke to get his attention to join in too. Wahey!

Gyokeres vs Dowman

On the pitch, it might be only a friendly, but that doesn’t mean the players are not taking it very seriously. Ben White got into a little confrontation in the second half as tempers flared.

However, it was in the first half that an unlikely spark of frustration found its way to Max Dowman’s door. After a typically skilful run, Gyokeres darted ahead of his marker, demanding a pass that never came. Dowman ended up being brought down for a free-kick.

But when the play stopped, Gyokeres turned and shouted at Dowman, clearly frustrated that he didn’t get the pass. Instead of reacting poorly, clearly the 16-year-old took it well and minutes later found a pass through to Kai Havertz, who scored the opening goal on the way to a man of the match performance in the end of Dowman. What a player he is!

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