Arsenal 1-1 Como (4-3 pens): Bruno Guimaraes makes bow and Myles Lewis-Skelly scores amid transfer speculation as Gunners win shoot-out after draw
Report from Arsenal's friendly against Como at the Emirates Stadium; Myles Lewis-Skelly's goal was cancelled out by Martin Baturina in a 1-1 draw; Bruno Guimaraes came off the bench for his debut; Arsenal won the post-match penalty shoot-out 4-3
Wednesday 12 August 2026 23:02, UK
Bruno Guimaraes made his first appearance and Myles Lewis-Skelly scored amid speculation about his future as Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw by Como before winning 4-3 on penalties.
Guimaraes, a £75m signing from Newcastle, was introduced at half-time in the pre-season friendly at the Emirates Stadium after Lewis-Skelly's opener had been cancelled out by Martin Baturina.
Lewis-Skelly's goal, stroked home after cutting out a poor pass from Como goalkeeper Jean Butez, came as he is linked with an Arsenal exit. He celebrated by making a heart gesture with his hands.
Guimaraes received a warm welcome with his introduction but Arsenal were unable to find a second-half winner before emerging victorious in the post-match penalty shoot-out in which Guimaraes and fellow new signing Christos Tzolis were among the scorers.
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Mikel Arteta left out Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi despite their returns from World Cup duty this week, but there were first cameos of pre-season from their England and Spain team-mates Eberechi Eze, David Raya, Mikel Merino and Noni Madueke.
Arsenal's attention now turns to Sunday's Community Shield against Manchester City at Wembley before their Premier League curtain-raiser against Coventry, live on Sky Sports, on Friday August 21.
The key moments from the Emirates Stadium
- 7: CHANCE! Gabriel Jesus misses a sitter as his shot hits the post when it appeared easier to score.
- 21: SAVE! Martin Baturina cuts inside from the left flank and forces a low save from Kepa Arrizabalaga.
- 33: GOAL! Myles Lewis-Skelly punishes an error from Como goalkeeper Jean Butez as he strokes home the opener
- 43: GOAL! Como pull level as Baturina dances between Theo Julienne and Max Dowman before firing home an emphatic finish.
- 46: WELCOME! Bruno Guimaraes is welcomed by the home fans as he is introduced at half-time for his first Gunners appearance.
- 53 WASTE! Martin Odegaard puts a chance on a plate for Fabio Vieira but his shot is saved.
- PENALTIES! Arsenal win the shoot-out 4-3 with Guimaraes among the scorers and Noni Madueke the only player to miss.
Analysis: Salmon shows star potential
The debut of a £75m signing and a goal from the player who may have to make way for his arrival took the headlines, but the performance from Marli Salmon provided another talking point.
One of two Arsenal 16-year-olds to start the game along with Max Dowman, the defender was outstanding, his performance a continuation of a strong pre-season.
He lined up at centre-back, with another teenager, the 18-year-old Theo Julienne, as his full-back, but as Arteta made sweeping substitutions and the personnel around him changed, Salmon remained calm and consistent, earning a standing ovation from fans inside the ground when he finally came off in the 88th minute.
Salmon departed having won nine of his 13 duels, the most of any player on either side. He had also completed 42 of his 43 passes, which was, again, a game high. The numbers reflected his confidence and quality both in and out of possession.
Como head coach Cesc Fabregas, himself a former Arsenal academy prodigy, marvelled at his impact alongside Dowman. "Amazing. That's what it's all about. Hale End does an amazing job," he said. And there was also praise from Arteta, who appears to have another credible defensive option. "I think he was exceptional," he said.
Arteta: Bruno was pushing to play
Manager Mikel Arteta on Bruno Guimaraes in his press conference: "He only had three training sessions, but he looked good.
"He was really pushing to play some minutes today.
"I think he wanted to get his debut and the feeling of playing in front of our fans immediately.
"And, yeah, you sense immediately, I believe, a strong connection at play that is going to make us better."
Merino: We're ready for 'another final'
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino speaking to Arsenal's official YouTube channel: "I think we dominated. The team showed what it is capable of.
"Everyone was in a good level. Honestly, I think we deserved to win; we had massive chances to score.
"We take the positives into the next game and hopefully we can dominate every game like we did today."
On the Community Shield: "It's another final and we want to win, we want to give the fans more happiness.
"But especially for us, we want to compete. Wearing this shirt and this badge means a lot and that's about giving everything and playing to our best capacity."
Arsenal's pre-season so far...
July 25: Arsenal 3-0 MK Dons - Arsenal training ground
August 1: Girona 1-4 Arsenal - Girona
August 5: Arsenal 1-3 Real Betis - Dublin
August 9: Arsenal 2-3 Borussia Dortmund
August 12: Arsenal 1-1 Como
August 16: Community Shield - Arsenal vs Man City, Cardiff, 3pm
