Report: Arsenal 1-1 Como (inc. goals)
Arsenal continued their pre-season preparations with a 1-1 draw against Como at Emirates Stadium, despite a first half strike from Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Next up: Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday, August 16th as they play their first “semi competitive” game of the new season.
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First half XI: Kepa, Julienne, Salmon, Gabriel, Hincapie, Lewis-Skelly, Eze, Nwaneri, Dowman, Martinelli, Jesus
It was a fast-paced start from Arsenal who should have been ahead within five minutes when Eberechi Eze found Gabriel with a pinpoint corner but his goalbound header was accidentally blocked on the line by Theo Julienne.
From the resulting goal kick, Ethan Nwaneri did well to win the ball high up before Eze squared to Gabriel Jesus, although his strike could only graze the outside of the post with goalkeeper Jean Butez stranded (he may have been offside).
The Gunners’ press looked sharp and they caught Como on more than one occasion in their own third, although they weren’t able to create any more clear cut chances despite some cute football around the box.
Both Eze and Jesus were withdrawn after half an hour, with Fabio Vieira and Viktor Gyokeres introduced as their replacements.
Almost straight after the double change (and after multiple warning signs), Como were eventually punished when Butez fired a poor pass straight at Myles Lewis-Skelly who intercepted, played a quick-one two with Gabriel Martinelli and passed into a virtually empty net to give Arsenal the lead. 1-0.
This was a low intensity first half but Arteta’s men made a habit of catching Como in possession and Lewis-Skelly shared a lovely moment with the home crowd. Eze, Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman also had their moments.
However, just before the break, Como had a chance to break and from absolutely nothing, Martin Baturina showed great feet to nip inside Julienne and Dowman before blasting a strike past Kepa at the near post to equalise. 1-1.
SECOND HALF
Mikel Arteta made four changes at half time, with David Raya, Cristhian Mosquera and Martin Odegaard all replacing Kepa, Gabriel and Ethan Nwaneri. Bruno Guimaraes also came on for his Arsenal debut – in place of Dowman.
Arsenal should have retaken the lead minutes into the second half when a lovely team move saw Piero Hincapie find Odegaard in space, before the captain played Vieira through but his near post finished was well saved by Butez.
On the hour mark, Arteta made a further six changes with Riccardo Calafiori, Ben White, Mikel Merino, Christos Tzolis, Noni Madueke and Kai Havertz all coming on, in place of Hincapie, Julienne, Lewis-Skelly, Martinelli, Vieira and Gyokeres.
The Gunners continued to dominate possession with Como barely stepping foot in the opposition half, although they couldn’t find a goal despite Butez making another decent save from Madueke. From the resulting corner a teasing delivery from Tzolis was cleared off the line with Butez caught in no man’s land.
Another excellent delivery from Tzolis saw Havertz sneak to the back post but his header back across goal was blazed over from close range by Marli Salmon, who had otherwise been very impressive.
It took until the 83rd minute for Como to have their first effort of the second half but Raya was equal to Jesus Rodriguez’s low strike. Raya was needed at his best again minutes later to save another decent effort from Rodriguez after he breezed past White too easily.
There was a final chance for Arsenal with Bruno Guimaraes playing Havertz through with a lovely ball over the top, but the German was ruled offside despite his strong finish at the near post.
Arteta’s men won the post-match penalty shootout 4-3, with Smolcic and Morata missing for Como and Madueke missing for the Gunners.
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