Arsenal and Como will meet for the first time in their histories on Saturday at the Emirates Stadium.
While the preseason friendly is primarily an opportunity to build fitness ahead of the new campaign, there are plenty of reasons to make it an intriguing matchup.
Arsenal should be favorites as the reigning Premier League champions, but defeats to Real Betis and Borussia Dortmund this preseason have raised a few questions. Como, meanwhile, are managed by former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fàbregas and have not lost a match of any kind since April.
The tactical contrast is also fascinating. Arsenal under Mikel Arteta favor a highly structured, positional approach built around aggressive defensive pressure and dangerous set pieces. Como, by contrast, lean toward the fluid, possession-heavy soccer Fàbregas developed during his playing days at Arsenal and Barcelona—a style Arsenal fans have arguably yearned for since Arsène Wenger’s departure.
