Friendly | Arsenal 1-1 Como: Baturina beauty and Chalobah debut
Como held Premier League Champions Arsenal to a 1-1 friendly draw in London, with Trevoh Chalobah and Yan Couto debuts, plus a great Martin Baturina goal before losing the penalty shoot-out.
It was an emotional return to London for coach Cesc Fabregas, who played for both Arsenal and Chelsea in his career. Nico Paz was a surprise guest in the stands, returning ahead of schedule from his vacation after playing for Argentina in the World Cup, but new signings Yan Couto and Mattia Liberali were thrown straight into the starting XI.
Jean Butez had quite a few howlers in the first half, once rescued by the offside flag when Gabriel Jesus hit the woodwork, but was caught out when a misplaced kick hit Myles Lewis-Skelly, who combined with Gabriel Martinelli to turn into an empty net.
There was considerably more skill involved for the Como equaliser, as Baturina cut inside from the left, squirmed between Max Dowman and Theo Julienne, and smashed it into the near top corner.
Arsenal gave new signing Bruno Guimaraes his debut, while Riccardo Calafiori of Italy was a late substitute.
Chalobah came on for his Como debut just days after completing the transfer from Chelsea.
Fabio Vieira, Cristhian Mosquera’s header and Noni Madueke all had efforts on target, as Butez showed he is better at saving than playing out from the back, while Jesus Rodriguez tested David Raya at the other end.
Kai Havertz thought he had won it at the death for Arsenal, but was denied by the offside flag.
Instead, it was decided on a penalty shoot-out, where Raya kept out Ivan Smolcic and Alvaro Morata, while Madueke thumped the upright.
Arsenal 1-1 Como (4-3 on pens)
Lewis-Skelly 33 (A), Baturina 43 (C)
Arsenal: Arrizabalaga (Raya 46); Julienne (Tzolis 62), Salmon, Gabriel (Mosquera 46), Hincapie (White 62); Lewis-Skelly (Calafiori 62), Eze (Vieira 32) (Madueke 62), Nwaneri (Guimaraes 46); Dowman (Odegaard 46), Gabriel Jesus (Gyokeres 32) (Havertz 62), Martinelli (Merino 62)
Como: Butez (Tornqvist 81); Couto (Smolcic 56), Ramon (Dossena 68), Kempf (Chalobah 69), Valle (Kaiki 56); Perrone (Lahdo 68), Da Cunha; Diao (Jesus Rodrigues 56), Liberali (Kuhn 69), Baturina (Caqueret 55); Douvikas (Morata 68)
