Arsenal beat Como on penalties in final pre-season game

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Arsenal ended their pre-season campaign with a 4-3 penalty shootout victory over Como 1907 at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.

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Myles Lewis-Skelly opened the scoring after capitalising on a mistake from Como goalkeeper Jean Butez, before Martin Baturina equalised shortly before half-time.

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The match remained level after 90 minutes, sending the contest to penalties, where David Raya emerged as Arsenal’s hero.

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Raya saved penalties from Ivan Smolcic and former Chelsea forward Alvaro Morata before Christos Tzolis converted the decisive spot-kick to seal Arsenal’s victory, a post-match report on the club’s website noted.

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Arsenal made a bright start, with Ebere Eze involved in several early opportunities.

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The England international first saw a free-kick fly over the crossbar before his corner created another chance that eventually went over the bar.

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The hosts went close again when Ethan Nwaneri won possession high up the pitch and found Eze, who rounded Butez before setting up Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian’s effort struck the post.

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Como almost took the lead in the 20th minute when Baturina created space on the edge of the Arsenal box, but Kepa Arrizabalaga produced a good save to deny him.

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Arsenal eventually broke the deadlock after the hydration break.

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Lewis-Skelly headed Butez’s weak clearance towards Gabriel Martinelli, who controlled the ball before setting up the midfielder to slot home.

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It was Lewis-Skelly’s first goal since Arsenal’s 5-1 victory over Manchester City in February 2025.

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Como responded before the break as Baturina beat Theo Julienne and Ethan Nwaneri before firing a powerful effort beyond Kepa to make it 1-1.

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Mikel Arteta made several changes at half-time, including the introduction of new signing Bruno Guimaraes for his Arsenal debut following his move from Newcastle United.

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Guimaraes immediately made an impact, producing a recovery tackle on Jesus Rodriguez that drew applause from the Emirates crowd.

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Martin Odegaard’s introduction also helped Arsenal regain momentum, with Butez denying Fabio Vieira after a well-worked move involving Piero Hincapie and Odegaard.

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Arsenal continued pushing for a winner after further substitutions, with Noni Madueke forcing another save from Butez with a powerful effort.

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Kai Havertz then dragged an effort wide after meeting Ben White’s header, while Marli Salmon came close from a corner delivered by Tzolis.

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Como threatened late on through Rodriguez, but Raya made two important saves to keep Arsenal level.

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Havertz appeared to have scored a late winner, but the goal was ruled out for offside, sending the match to penalties.

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Como manager Cesc Fabregas introduced goalkeeper Noel Tornqvist before the shootout, but Raya quickly took centre stage by saving Smolcic’s penalty.

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Guimaraes converted Arsenal’s next attempt before Rodriguez levelled the shootout at 3-3 after Madueke struck the post.

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Raya then saved Morata’s penalty, leaving Tzolis with the opportunity to win the contest.

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The Greek forward made no mistake, firing his penalty into the top corner to secure a 4-3 shootout victory for Arsenal.

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The result brings Arsenal’s pre-season to an end, with their next assignment the Community Shield against Manchester City at the Millennium Stadium on Sunday, August 16, at 3pm.

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The Gunners will then begin their Premier League campaign against Coventry City at Emirates Stadium on Friday, August 21, at 8pm.

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