Arsenal concluded their pre-season schedule with a 1-1 draw against Como on Wednesday before securing a 4-3 penalty shootout victory at the Emirates Stadium. The Premier League champions took a first-half lead when Myles Lewis-Skelly capitalised on a loose pass to open the scoring. The Italian side responded before the interval as Martin Baturina cut inside the penalty area and fired high into the roof of the net to level the contest.
The match served as Mikel Arteta’s final opportunity to assess his squad ahead of the competitive season restart. Arsenal will now turn their attention to the Community Shield against Manchester City at Wembley on Sunday, a fixture that offers the first silverware of the English campaign. The Gunners begin their title defence the following Friday with a home fixture against Coventry.
Lewis-Skelly’s involvement continues a promising pre-season for the academy graduate, who has featured regularly throughout the summer programme. Baturina’s equaliser highlighted the technical threat posed by Como, who are preparing for their return to Serie A after a 21-year absence. The Croatian midfielder’s composure in front of goal provided a stern test for Arsenal’s defensive structure.
Arteta utilised the friendly to rotate his squad extensively, handing minutes to fringe players and younger prospects. The penalty shootout offered additional competitive pressure, with Arsenal converting all four of their spot-kicks while their goalkeeper made the decisive save. The outcome extends the club’s unbeaten run in pre-season and builds momentum ahead of the Community Shield, where they face a Manchester City side also finalising their preparations.
The upcoming fixtures represent a rapid escalation in intensity. The Community Shield pits the FA Cup holders against the Premier League champions in a traditional curtain-raiser, while the league opener against Coventry marks the start of a 38-match campaign in which Arsenal aim to overcome last season’s narrow runner-up finish. Arteta’s side have strengthened during the transfer window, though the manager has emphasised the importance of tactical cohesion over individual additions.
Supporters will scrutinise team selection at Wembley for clues regarding the manager’s preferred starting eleven and tactical approach for the new season. The Como friendly provided limited definitive answers, given the experimental nature of the line-ups, but the penalty shootout victory offers a psychological boost. Arsenal’s capacity to navigate high-pressure situations — a recurring theme in recent title races — will be tested immediately against familiar adversaries in Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.