Three positives and two negatives from Arsenal's 1-1 draw versus Como
Pre-season hit another muted note for Arsenal on Wednesday night as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Serie A side Como.
A few big names returned to the team here, with both ‘big’ Gabriel and Gabriel Martinelli featuring from the off while David Raya and Mikel Merino came on later for their first appearances since their World Cup triumph.
That extra, first-team involvement marked an upturn in quality as the Gunners looked closer to their best than in recent outings. It resulted in a deserved lead as well just after the half-hour mark, when Myles Lewis-Skelly capitalised on a goalkeeping howler from Jean Butez and slid the ball home from just outside the box.
However, it would barely last ten minutes. Martin Baturina brought Como back level shortly before the half-time break via some lovely footwork, bursting past the Arsenal defensive effort to fire a powerful drive into the top corner.
3 positives and 2 negatives from Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Como
The Gunners huffed and puffed for much of the second half but little else happened and a drab draw is how it finished, with Mikel Arteta eventually seeing his men come out on top 4-3 in a post-match penalty shootout.
Here are three positives and two negatives for Arsenal from their latest pre-season test.
Positive #1: Fluid attack
There are still no marquee names to ignite the front line but Arteta mixed things up nonetheless by fielding Martinelli from the start opposite Max Dowman, with the former’s compatriot Gabriel Jesus down the middle.
Though not a common grouping, the trio worked quite well together. Arsenal hounded Como as they tried to play out from the back and it led some good goal-scoring chances, even if they failed to make them count.
Martinelli even threw in a rare bit of Samba panache in the first half as he wriggled away from a few Como defenders.
Their fluidity lasted just a short while because Jesus came off for Viktor Gyokeres before long, but it made for a nice scene while it lasted. Perhaps the boss wants them to impress any potential suitors in advance of deadline day.
Negative #1: Leaky defence
It is a theme of this pre-season tour.
Arsenal are best known for their defensive strength yet the goals have flooded in over recent games, conceding three in Dublin against Real Betis and a further three last Sunday in the Emirates Cup loss to Borussia Dortmund.
And the backline was breached again here thanks to a fine solo effort from Como midfielder Martin Baturina.
Of course, one can cite several mitigating factors: it is only pre-season, some first-team players are absent, and the primary focus of these matches is to build fitness; no one will care about this result by the time the Premier League curtain raiser is here.
But it might still cause some concern for the boss – is the drop off too big when the first-choice stars are out? Is there are streak of complacency in a team that has already won the league? Are Arsenal in trouble without William Saliba.
Keep Ezri Konsa’s phone number to hand just in case.
Positive #2: Myles Lewis-Skelly impresses
Rumours still abound that he could yet depart but Myles Lewis-Skelly has done enough to make the boss think twice about it.
He has looked assured throughout pre-season at the base of midfield, without Declan Rice, and he added the cherry to his tour against Como when he broke the deadlock, helped in no small part by the horrendous error from Jean Butez.
No Arsenal fan wants to see him go – least of all to a major Premier League rival – and it seems that the feeling is mutual as MLS made a heart shape with his hands for his celebration, surely in a direct response to those who are peddling stories.
His future should be in red and white.
Negative #2: Inefficient up top
For all of their fluid movement, the Arsenal frontline has certainly not gained in its clinical touch over the summer break.
Martinelli and Jesus often found themselves in great positions but kept on squandering their chance or else misplacing the final pass. It took the Como goalkeeper stopping just short of kicking it into his own net for the breakthrough to come.
That wastefulness was compounded by a chronic lack of spatial awareness as many of the forward ventures ended with the offside flag going up. There are no official stats because it was a friendly but I for one lost count of the offsides.
Yes, it is ‘just’ pre-season, yet fans will know from experience that they can expect similar frustration once the real action starts.
Imagine if Vinicius Jr. had joined…
Positive #3: Bruno Guimaraes debut
Bruno Guimaraes made his Arsenal debut at half-time after FINALLY completing his protracted move from Newcastle United.
This was not a true opportunity to see what he can offer given the friendly context and the absence of his usual midfield partners. However, he did execute one brilliant tackle soon after his introduction to get the fans cheering.
Beyond that, there is little to report from his first match but it was still nice to see him in the Arsenal midfield. Now he has some minutes in his legs, with more to come on Sunday, ahead of the Coventry clash on Friday week.
Us fans will be there.
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