Arsenal to host Como 1907 in Emirates Stadium pre-season friendly on August 12

Arsenal will face Serie A side Como 1907 in a pre-season friendly at the Emirates Stadium in London on August 12. The match arrives as the English Premier League champions look to respond after two recent pre-season defeats.

Arsenal have lost their last two outings, first to Real Betis and then to Borussia Dortmund in the Emirates Cup final; the Gunners were beaten in normal time but secured victory on penalties. Cesc Fàbregas’ men have taken part in only one pre-season match so far, a 2-2 draw with Paris FC in which they conceded two goals in quick succession before finding a late equaliser.

Christos Tzolis was singled out as Arsenal’s top performer against Borussia Dortmund, finishing the game without a goal but providing an assist and operating as a constant threat on the left flank. The 22-year-old’s attacking contributions will be watched as he looks to build on that display in front of the Emirates crowd.

Como will rely on Anastasios Douvikas in the final third after the 27-year-old scored an important equaliser in the closing moments of their 2-2 draw with Paris FC. The preview notes that Como must avoid giving chances to Arsenal or the Lariani could face problems against their hosts’ attacking players.

Arsenal will be without Jurrien Timber, Louie Copley and William Saliba due to injury, while Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke and David Raya have not yet returned from the World Cup break. New signing Bruno Guimaraes might make his debut as a substitute.

For Como, Nico Paz and Martin Baturing are yet to rejoin the squad and latest signing Trevoh Chalobah is not yet confirmed to be part of the matchday group. Those absences are listed alongside the expected availability concerns for both sides ahead of the friendly.

Projected lineups supplied in the preview read: Kepa (GK); White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Havertz, Lewis-Skelly; Dowman, Gyokeres, Tzolis and Butez (GK); Smolcic, Ramon, Kempf, Valle; Da Cunha, Perrone; Diao, Liberali, Rodriguez, Douvikas. The preview also states that Arsenal are likely to come out on top and that fans worldwide can watch the fixture live on Arsenal’s official YouTube channel.

The friendly is scheduled for August 12 at the Emirates Stadium in London and will be available to view on Arsenal’s official YouTube channel.