Arsenal closed out their pre-season campaign at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday with a penalty-shootout victory over Como, the Italian side managed by former Barcelona and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fàbregas. The teams were level after 90 minutes, and Arsenal prevailed from the spot in the finale of their warm-up fixtures.
Clean sheet through 90, drama from the spot
The fixture could not be separated in normal time, with neither side breaking the deadlock during the 90-minute match. The contest was decided by a penalty shootout, where Arsenal emerged victorious to cap off their preparations before the competitive season begins. Young forward Myles Lewis-Skelly was among the Arsenal players involved in the game.
Pre-season friendlies are rarely judged solely on results; they offer managers a chance to sharpen tactical ideas, assess squad depth and hand minutes to fringe players. For Arsenal, finishing the tour with a win — regardless of the method — provides a tidy close to the summer programme at their home ground.
What the result means
- Confidence boost: Winning the final pre-season match, even on penalties, helps build momentum heading into competitive fixtures.
- Fixtures and fitness: The match offered match time for starters and squad players as the club transitions into the regular season.
- Managerial tests: Facing Como, led by a high-profile coach in Fàbregas, provided a different tactical challenge compared with domestic opposition.
Arsenal’s pre-season schedule consisted of a series of friendlies intended to prepare the squad physically and tactically. Concluding those fixtures at the Emirates gives supporters a final look at the team before the competitive calendar resumes.
Context and consequences
Pre-season results are, by design, secondary to the larger goals of preparing a squad for a long campaign. Yet how a team finishes this phase can shape narratives: a series of sharp displays raises expectations, while uneven performances prompt questions about readiness. Arsenal’s penalty victory over Como supplies a neat conclusion and will be noted by supporters and analysts as the club enters the new season.
Facing a Como side coached by a high-profile former international offered Arsenal an interesting measuring stick. Matches against sides with different tactical backgrounds help managers work on in-game adjustments and evaluate how adaptable their players are against unfamiliar systems.
For young players such as Lewis-Skelly, minutes at the Emirates in front of home fans are valuable for development and confidence. Clubs often use these fixtures to audition academy graduates and fringe players for roles in the senior squad or as potential loan candidates.
| Match | Venue | 90 minutes | Decider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenal vs Como | Emirates Stadium | Draw (no goals) | Penalty shootout — Arsenal won |
With pre-season wrapped, attention now turns to the competitive fixtures where points, silverware and long-term objectives are on the line. Arsenal supporters will hope the momentum from a tidy pre-season finish carries into the opening weeks of the campaign.
