Arsenal vs Como 1907 12 August 2026 Prediction

Arsenal will complete its preseason preparations with a friendly against Como, an ambitious Italian side preparing for its Champions League debut. The match also has a personal storyline. Cesc Fabregas made 303 appearances for Arsenal as a midfielder and now returns to the Emirates as the manager of the opposing team.

Arsenal Has Been Unusually High-Scoring

Arsenal worked for years to win the Premier League title and has no intention of slowing down. With most of its main rivals going through significant rebuilds, Arsenal's stability makes it one of the leading contenders for the title. However, preseason has not been entirely convincing. The Gunners comfortably beat League One side MK Dons 3-0 and Girona 4-1, but lost to Champions League teams Real Betis 3-1 and Borussia Dortmund 3-2.

Mikel Arteta is known for a pragmatic approach, but Arsenal usually plays with more freedom in friendlies. That helps explain why none of its preseason matches has been particularly low-scoring. Several players who featured at the World Cup, including Raya, Rice, Merino, Eze, Saka, and Zubimendi, have only recently returned to the squad and did not participate in the previous friendlies. Two important defenders, Timber and Saliba, are also still recovering from injuries.

Arsenal's previous preseason lineups were far from full strength and included several young players and reserves. New signing Christos Tzolis, who arrived from Club Brugge, has stood out. He adapted quickly to Arsenal's combination play while also showing the confidence to take responsibility in attack. After registering a goal contribution in each of the last three friendlies, he has made a strong case to start on the left wing. Bruno Guimaraes, signed from Newcastle, should also strengthen the midfield and is expected to make his Arsenal debut against Como.

Como Stays Committed to Its Style

Cesc Fabregas has already made club history as the first manager to lead Como into European competition, and directly into the Champions League. The Italian side did not win the Como Cup this summer, but it remained competitive throughout. In the 45-minute group matches, Como beat Al-Ula 3-1 and drew 1-1 with Villarreal before losing on penalties. The team also remained unbeaten in its two full-length friendlies, defeating Famalicao 3-2 in the third-place match and drawing 2-2 with Paris earlier in preseason.

Como has maintained the same bold approach in both competitive and friendly matches, combining possession with an aggressive press. The attack has remained productive even without Nico Paz, who was resting after the World Cup. Young signing Mattia Liberali has also impressed as a backup option for the Argentine. The 19-year-old Milan academy product has already scored his first goal for Como, finding the net against Villarreal.

Como also strengthened its defense by signing England international Trevoh Chalobah from Chelsea, Yan Couto from Borussia Dortmund, and Kaiki from Cruzeiro. So far, only Kaiki has made his debut, and his attacking runs down the left have been more noticeable than his defensive work. Center forward remains a concern. Alvaro Morata has struggled at Como and lost the manager's confidence, while relying on Douvikas alone may not be enough for a season involving both domestic and European competition.

Arsenal vs Como Predicted Lineup

Arsenal (4-3-3): Arrizabalaga; White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Lewis-Skelly, Havertz; Dowman, Gyokeres, Tzolis

Unavailable: Saliba, Timber (both injured)

Manager: Mikel Arteta

Como (4-2-3-1): Butez; Couto, Kempf, Ramon, Kaiki; Milla, Da Cunha; Diao, Liberali, Baturina; Douvikas

Unavailable: Paz, Chalobah (both doubtful)

Manager: Cesc Fabregas

Arsenal vs Como Prediction: Arsenal Handicap -1.5

Main prediction: Despite losing its last two friendlies, Arsenal remains the clear favorite. Como is not used to facing Europe's elite, and its most recent experience against opposition of this level ended in a 5-0 loss to Barcelona during last preseason. The Italian side has improved since then, but its open style and defensive vulnerabilities could create serious problems at the Emirates. Arsenal should also have an edge in match sharpness, with its first competitive game, the Super Cup against Manchester City, scheduled for Sunday, while Como's season begins a week later. Our pick is Arsenal handicap -1.5 at odds of 2.02.

Goals prediction: Como has enough attacking quality to threaten the reigning English champion. The Italian side has scored in all four preseason matches, even though two of them lasted only 45 minutes. Arsenal, meanwhile, has conceded in three consecutive games. That makes both teams to score at odds of 1.67 another option worth considering.