Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw by Como at Emirates Stadium in their final pre-season friendly on Wednesday evening as both sides shared the spoils in a balanced contest ahead of the new season.
Myles Anthony Lewis-Skelly gave the hosts the lead in the 33rd minute after combining with Gabriel Martinelli. The young full-back timed his run perfectly to finish from close range and ignite the home crowd.
Como responded just before the interval through Martin Baturina, who struck in the 43rd minute to level the contest. Mattia Liberali provided the assist with a clever pass that unlocked Arsenal's defensive line.
The hosts had threatened early when Gabriel Magalhães saw a header from very close range blocked after just six minutes. It was a warning of Arsenal's aerial threat from set-pieces that Como struggled to handle initially.
Arsenal operated in a 4-2-3-1 shape and controlled possession with 55 percent of the ball in the opening period. Como mirrored the system but sat deeper, looking to hit on transition through their wide players.
The 1-1 scoreline at half-time reflected a fairly even first half, with both sides creating limited clear-cut opportunities. Lewis-Skelly's opener had given Arsenal momentum, but Baturina's leveller shifted the balance before the break.
After the restart the tempo dipped, with neither side able to seize full control in the final third. The managers used the friendly to rotate heavily, and the lack of decisive moments left the second half without significant incidents.
For Arsenal it was a useful final test before competitive action returns, despite being unable to find a winning goal at home. Como will take encouragement from holding their Premier League hosts on their own turf at Emirates Stadium.
Both teams now turn focus to the season ahead, with Arsenal concluding pre-season preparations and Como building fitness against elite opposition. The draw provides a balanced ending to a productive summer programme for the Gunners.
