Arsenal vs Como 12.08.2026
The safer angle is both teams to score, while the more cautious result-based option is Como +1.5 handicap. Arsenal remain the stronger team on paper and will have home advantage, but the friendly-match context makes a straightforward home win much less appealing.
Arsenal have already experienced a mixed pre-season. They defeated Girona 4–1, but then suffered defeats against Real Betis and Borussia Dortmund, conceding six goals across those two matches. The 3–2 loss to Dortmund came on August 9, just three days before the Como fixture, which creates an interesting question over Arsenal’s physical freshness and the likely number of changes made by Mikel Arteta.fc-arsenal+2
Squad and Fitness Situation
The most important factor is that Arsenal’s squad is not yet operating at full competitive intensity. Several players are returning at different stages of fitness, and Arteta has been carefully managing their minutes during pre-season. Martin Ødegaard has been used gradually, while William Saliba and Jurrien Timber have had separate fitness concerns.youtube
The probable Arsenal line-up could include Kepa or David Raya in goal, with Lewis-Skelly, Gabriel, Mosquera and Calafiori in defence. Ødegaard, Declan Rice and Zubimendi may form the midfield, while Bukayo Saka, Viktor Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli could lead the attack. However, the starting XI has not been officially confirmed, and substitutions are likely to have a major influence on the final result.livescore.football365+1
Como arrive with a different physical profile. Their recent pre-season results include a 3–2 victory over Famalicão, a 2–2 draw with Paris FC and a 4–1 win against Cremonese. These matches suggest that Cesc Fàbregas’ side are comfortable playing open football and are not simply travelling to London to defend for 90 minutes.livescore+2
Tactical Match-Up
Arsenal should dominate possession and attempt to press Como high up the pitch. Their main attacking route will probably involve quick combinations around the edge of the penalty area, as well as Saka and Martinelli attacking from wide positions.
The potential problem for Arsenal is the space left behind the full-backs. In a friendly match, defensive intensity can drop after several substitutions, and Como have the technical quality to exploit this space. Nico Paz can be particularly dangerous between the lines, while Douvikas offers a direct target in the penalty area.
The match could therefore have two different phases. Arsenal may control the opening half-hour and create the clearer chances, but Como should become more dangerous as the game becomes stretched and the London side changes its defensive structure.
Match Prediction
This is not an ideal fixture for predicting a dominant Arsenal victory. The Gunners have home advantage, greater individual quality and a clear motivation to improve after the defeat to Dortmund. At the same time, the short recovery period, squad rotation and defensive uncertainty could prevent them from controlling the entire match.
Como should have enough energy and attacking ambition to score at least once. Arsenal are still more likely to produce the better attacking moments, but a clean sheet looks difficult to trust in this particular pre-season setting.
Final Prediction
- Correct score: Arsenal 2–2 Como.
- Main prediction: Both teams to score.
- Total goals: Over 2.5.
- Safer handicap option: Como +1.5.
- Half-time prediction: Draw.
The most interesting scenario is an Arsenal lead followed by a Como response, with both teams finding the net after the break. In a competitive Premier League fixture, Arsenal’s depth would probably decide the game, but in a friendly match the constant changes may keep Como in the contest until the final whistle.
