Myles Lewis-Skelly capitalized on a goalkeeping howler before Martin Baturina’s solo stunner held the Gunners to a stalemate. Debutant Bruno Guimaraes featured as Arsenal triumphed on penalties.
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Arsenal drew 1-1 with Cesc Fabregas’ Como 1907 side this evening at The Emirates Stadium as the Gunners ramped up preparations ahead of the Community Shield final on Sunday and the curtain raiser of the Premier League season on Friday next week
An eclipse was the talk of the town across North London, but it was the home side that started the game in a bright fashion. Arsenal started with a well timed, aggressive press that pinned the Italian visitors back at times. The Gunners created some good early chances, with a Gabriel header blocked off the line by one of his own men, and Gabriel Jesus striking the post although the Brazilian was adjudged to have been offside in the build up.
The Gunners continued to press and move the ball well, but it was a goalkeeping error that saw Arteta’s men take the lead. Como 1907 goalkeeper Butez looked to be caught in two minds when trying to play out from the back, presenting the ball straight to Myles Lewis-Skelly who after a quick one-two with Martinelli, was able to roll the ball past the Frenchman into an empty net, and put Arsenal in front for the first time in pre-season since the win against Girona on 1st August.
Following the goal from the 19 year-old Hale End graduate, Arsenal continued on the front foot and again, had several ‘nearly moments’ and could have easily stretched their lead if it wasn’t for some smart last ditch defending from Cesc Fabregas’ side. Despite being on top for large parts of the opening 45 minutes, Arsenal were pegged back just 10 minutes after taking the lead, a stunning solo effort from Martin Baturina, with the young Croatian star cutting in from the left hand side, firing into the top left hand corner past a helpless Kepa Arizabalaga to level proceedings.
HALF TIME: Arsenal 1 Como 1907 1 (Lewis-Skelly 33’, Baturina 43’)
Into the second half and Arsenal made some changes at half time, introducing more of the ‘big guns.’ Viktor Gyokeres and captain Martin Odegaard entered as well as Bruno Guimaraes who made his Arsenal debut this evening.
Despite the introduction of more of the first team members, there was little more to write home about in the second half. World Cup winners Mikel Merino and David Raya were also handed their first minutes since returning home from The United States, with the latter actually called into some late second half saves to keep the scores all square.
Kai Havertz did have the ball in the back of the net for Arsenal late on, but he was adjudged to have started his run too late, and the offside flag was raised. Despite the second half dominance from the Gunners, the full time whistle was blown by referee Paul Tierney as soon as the clock ticked 90 minutes and both sides went onto a penalty shootout.
Arsenal went on to win the penalty shootout 4-3 with David Raya making two saves.
FULL TIME: Arsenal 1 Como 1907 1 (Lewis Skelly 33', Baturina 43')
Tzolis & Raya celebrate as Arsenal triumph 4-3 on penalties vs Como (Action Images via Reuters)
Tzolis & Raya celebrate as Arsenal triumph 4-3 on penalties vs Como (Action Images via Reuters)
Arsenal Starting XI: Kepa, Julienne, Salmon, Gabriel, Hincapie, Lewis-Skelly, Eze, Dowman, Nwaneri, Martinelli & Jesus
Used substitutes: Gyokeres, Vieira, Odegaard, Bruno Guimaraes, Mosquera, Raya, Merino, Tzolis, Madueke, Calafiori, Havertz, White & Ogunnaike
Unused substitutes: Meslier & Setford
This game concluded Arsenal’s pre-season, with four good games to register some much needed minutes into several of the squad's legs over the last few weeks. The squad will now no doubt be set and raring to go for the season.
Arsenal face Manchester City in The Community Shield Final on Sunday afternoon before kicking off The Premier League campaign on Friday 21st August, welcoming Premier League new boys Coventry City to Emirates Stadium for an 8pm kick off.