Arsenal's pre-season campaign came to a close with a draw against Como, offering Mikel Arteta plenty to ponder as the countdown begins to the Premier League opener against Coventry in nine days. Before that, the Gunners will meet Manchester City in the Community Shield in Cardiff on Sunday.
The match underlined that Arsenal are still finding their rhythm heading into the new campaign. Key figures Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice have yet to feature at all this summer, and though both returned to training this week, the club is treating their reintegration with caution. Neither was included in the squad for this fixture. Rice and Jurrien Timber were among those watching from the sidelines.
With Ben White's fitness also being carefully monitored and a shortage of options at the back, 18-year-old Theo Julienne was handed a start. The game had the feel of a typical pre-season fixture, with Arteta rotating heavily throughout. Eberechi Eze featured for just half an hour, while Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus each played roughly 30 minutes up front. Marli Salmon was the only player to exceed an hour on the pitch.
The disruption caused by the World Cup has left Arsenal with limited time to build sharpness, and the club now face a race against the clock to have their squad ready for the demands of the new season.
Amid the uncertainty, Myles Lewis-Skelly delivered a standout performance after what had reportedly been an eventful 24 hours off the pitch. The young midfielder, who has started every pre-season match, looked assured in possession and combined effectively with Eze in the final third. Operating in a deeper No. 6 role, he also appeared more comfortable defensively than in Arsenal's previous friendly against Borussia Dortmund.
Lewis-Skelly was directly involved in the opening goal, leading a high press that forced Como goalkeeper Jean Butez into an error. When the loose ball fell to him, he calmly slotted it into the net. His celebration was pointed — tapping the badge and forming a heart shape with his hands towards the crowd — a clear signal of his commitment to the club amid any speculation over his future. Judging by his performance, Lewis-Skelly should be nowhere near any list of players Arsenal might consider selling this summer.
The biggest cheer of the afternoon, however, was reserved for Bruno Guimaraes, who received a rousing ovation when his name was announced ahead of the second half. Introduced at the break to gain match fitness before the Community Shield, the Brazilian midfielder wasted little time making an impact. He made a crucial defensive intervention to snuff out a Como counterattack from a corner, prompting chants of his name around the ground.
Guimaraes played as the deepest midfielder for the final half hour after Lewis-Skelly was substituted, though he was still given freedom to push forward and join attacking phases. His combative instincts were evident early, committing a foul moments after being dispossessed. Late on, he bailed out teenager Josh Ogunnaike, who lost possession while dribbling out from the back, by recovering to make a vital challenge in the 90th minute.
Guimaraes also showcased composure from the penalty spot, converting confidently in the shootout with a stuttered run-up before rolling the ball into the bottom corner.
Attention now turns to the Community Shield clash with Manchester City, where Arsenal will look to build further momentum before the Premier League season begins.
Based on reporting from Standard Sport.