Arsenal finished their pre-season with a 4-3 win on penalties against Como 1907 at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.
Myles Lewis-Skelly scored first after taking advantage of a mistake by Como's goalkeeper Jean Butez. Martin Baturina equalised just before half-time.
After 90 minutes, the game was still tied, leading to penalties where David Raya became the hero for Arsenal.
Raya saved kicks from Ivan Smolcic and former Chelsea player Alvaro Morata. Christos Tzolis then scored the winning penalty, giving Arsenal the victory, a report on the club’s website stated.
Arsenal started strong, with Ebere Eze involved in some early chances.
Eze first sent a free-kick over the bar, then his corner led to another chance that also went over.
The home team nearly scored again when Ethan Nwaneri stole the ball high up the pitch and passed to Eze. Eze rounded Butez but Gabriel Jesus hit the post instead.
Como almost took the lead in the 20th minute when Baturina found space at the edge of the Arsenal box, but Kepa Arrizabalaga made a good save to stop him.
Arsenal broke the deadlock after a hydration break.
Lewis-Skelly headed Butez’s weak clearance to Gabriel Martinelli, who controlled it before setting up the midfielder to score.
This was Lewis-Skelly’s first goal since Arsenal beat Manchester City 5-1 in February 2025.
Como responded just before half-time when Baturina beat Theo Julienne and Nwaneri, then fired a strong shot past Kepa to make it 1-1.
Mikel Arteta made several changes at half-time, including new signing Bruno Guimaraes making his debut after joining from Newcastle United.
Guimaraes quickly made an impact with a recovery tackle on Jesus Rodriguez, earning applause from the Emirates crowd.
Martin Odegaard's introduction also helped Arsenal regain some control. Butez denied Fabio Vieira after a nice move with Piero Hincapie and Odegaard.
Arsenal kept pushing for a winner after more substitutions. Noni Madueke forced Butez into another save with a strong shot.
Kai Havertz then missed an effort after connecting with Ben White’s header, while Marli Salmon came close from a corner taken by Tzolis.
Como threatened late in the game through Rodriguez, but Raya made two crucial saves to keep the score level.
Havertz looked to have scored a late winner, but the goal was ruled out for offside, sending the match to penalties.
Como manager Cesc Fabregas brought in goalkeeper Noel Tornqvist before the shootout, but Raya quickly made his mark by saving Smolcic’s kick.
Guimaraes scored Arsenal’s next penalty, but Rodriguez equalised the shootout at 3-3 after Madueke hit the post.
Raya then saved Morata’s penalty, leaving Tzolis with the chance to win the match.
The Greek forward scored easily, shooting his penalty into the top corner to secure a 4-3 victory for Arsenal.
This result wraps up Arsenal’s pre-season. Their next match is the Community Shield against Manchester City at the Millennium Stadium on Sunday, August 16, at 3pm.
The Gunners will start their Premier League season against Coventry City at Emirates Stadium on Friday, August 21, at 8pm.
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