Bruno Guimaraes stepped onto the Emirates pitch for the first time in a pre‑season friendly against Italian side Como, while youngster Myles Lewis‑Skelly found the net in a match that ended 1‑1 before Arsenal triumphed 4‑3 in the ensuing penalty shoot‑out. The Brazilian midfielder, acquired for a reported £75 million from Newcastle United, was introduced at the interval and immediately attracted a warm reception from the home crowd. His debut came after Lewis‑Skelly's early strike was levelled by Martin Baturina, setting the tone for a tightly contested encounter.
Lewis‑Skelly’s goal arrived when he intercepted a wayward pass from Como keeper Jean Butez, slotting the ball home with composure. The young forward, whose future has been the subject of intense speculation, celebrated by forming a heart shape with his hands, a gesture that underscored both his affection for the club and the uncertainty surrounding his long‑term role. As rumors swirl that he may eventually be displaced by Guimaraes, his contribution provided a bright spot for the Gunners.
Despite Guimaraes’ energetic introduction, Arsenal struggled to break the deadlock in the second half. The team eventually resorted to a penalty shoot‑out to settle the game, where the new signing proved his worth by converting his spot‑kick alongside fellow newcomer Christos Tzolis.
Their successful penalties helped secure a 4‑3 victory in the shoot‑out, giving the fans a thrilling conclusion to the friendly. Mikel Arteta made several notable selections for the match. He omitted regulars Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi, who had only just returned from World Cup duties, opting instead to give minutes to a mix of academy graduates and recent signings. England and Spain internationals such as Eberechi Eze, David Raya, Mikel Merino and Noni Madueke featured, providing a glimpse of the squad’s depth ahead of the upcoming competitive fixtures.
The focus now shifts to the Community Shield, scheduled for Sunday in Cardiff against Manchester City, followed by the Premier League opener against Coventry on August 21, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. Fans are encouraged to follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp for the latest updates, video highlights, and in‑depth analysis.
While the headline moments centred on Guimaraes’ debut and Lewis‑Skelly’s goal, another player drew significant attention: 16‑year‑old Marli Salmon. Starting alongside fellow academy prospect Max Dowman, Salmon impressed with a composed defensive display that capped a strong pre‑season run for the youngster. Positioned at centre‑back with 18‑year‑old Theo Julienne at full‑back, Salmon remained calm and consistent even as Artarta made numerous substitutions. He was applauded by the home supporters when he was subbed off in the 88th minute after a solid performance that saw him win nine of his 13 duels – the highest tally on the field – and complete 42 of 43 attempted passes, the best passing accuracy of the match.
Como’s head coach, former Arsenal academy star Cesc Fàbregas, praised Salmon’s impact, stating, "Amazing. That's what it's all about. Hale End does an amazing job." Arteta echoed the sentiment, calling the teenager "exceptional" and hinting that he could become a reliable defensive option for the first team.
In his post‑match press conference, Arteta spoke enthusiastically about Guimaraes, noting that the midfielder had only participated in three training sessions prior to the game but already displayed a strong desire to earn minutes and connect with the fans. "He wanted his debut and the feeling of playing in front of our supporters immediately," Arteta said, adding that the instant rapport he observed would help improve the squad. Midfielder Mikel Merino, speaking to Arsenal’s official YouTube channel, expressed confidence in the team’s performance, claiming they dominated the game and created numerous scoring opportunities.
He stressed the importance of carrying the positives into the upcoming matches and aiming to dominate each encounter as they had against Como. Regarding the Community Shield, Arteta highlighted the significance of the fixture: "It's another final and we want to win, we want to give the fans more happiness. Wearing this shirt and this badge means a lot, and we’ll give everything we have to play at our best capacity." The upcoming match against Manchester City represents a chance for Arsenal to test their preparations against a top‑class opponent before the league campaign begins.
Recent pre‑season results have been encouraging for the Gunners: a 3‑0 win over MK Dons on July 25, a 4‑1 victory at Girona on August 1, a 3‑1 defeat to Real Betis in Dublin on August 5, a narrow 3‑2 loss to Borussia Dortmund on August 9, and the 1‑1 draw with Como on August 12 followed by the penalty shoot‑out win. These fixtures have offered Arteta valuable insight into his squad’s strengths and areas for improvement as they approach the season opener. Overall, the friendly against Como provided a platform for new signings to showcase their abilities, for academy talents like Salmon to earn recognition, and for the manager to fine‑tune his lineup ahead of the competitive challenges that lie ahead.