Arsenal 1-1 (4-3p) Como: Player ratings as Gunners end pre-season with shootout win

Arsenal brought their pre-season campaign to a close with a 4-3 penalty shootout victory over Serie A side Como following a 1-1 draw.

Mikel Arteta made several changes to the side that lost to Borussia Dortmund in the Emirates Cup, bringing in the likes of Gabriel Martinelli and Eberechi Eze, and youngsters Marli Salmon and Theo Julienne.

David Raya was among those to return on the bench with Bruno Guimarães also named in the squad for the first time since joining the Gunners from Newcastle.

The hosts almost took the lead after just five minutes when Eze's pinpoint corner delivery was met by the head of Gabriel, who directed an effort towards goal, only for it to be cleared off the line by his own teammate.

Como's first real chance of the game with 20 minutes gone when Martin Baturina picked the ball up on the edge of the box and looked to curl an effort into the far corner, but Kepa got across well to turn it away.

A first-half hydration break saw Arteta make two changes, bringing off Eze and Gabriel Jesus for Fábio Vieira and Viktor Gyökeres. His side then broke the deadlock moments after the pause when Myles Lewis-Skelly and Martinelli combined to win back possession for the former to roll the ball into the bottom corner.

The lead didn't last long though as Baturina did well to break into the box and beat Julienne and Max Dowman before firing a thumping effort past Kepa at the near post to level matters for the visitors just before half-time.

Arteta opted to make a further four substitutions, bringing on Cristian Mosquera, Martin Ødegaard, David Raya, and new signing Bruno Guimarães for his debut.

Arsenal almost restored their advantage shortly after the restart when Piero Hincapié raced up the pitch and found Ødegaard on the edge of the box. The skipper played Vieira in down the right side and the Portuguese struck at goal, but his effort was saved.

Fresh off the bench, Noni Madueke caused problems for Como on the right flank and that almost paid off when he was found on the edge of the area, allowing to fire a powerful strike towards goal, but it was palmed away by Jean Butez.

The Gunners continued to dominate the possession, but couldn't find a way through, meaning the game ended level with a penalty shootout following the full-time whistle.

Raya saved penalties from Ivan Smolcic and Alvaro Morata as Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz and Bruno Guimarães all converted from the spot for Arsenal before Christos Tzolis netted from 12 yards to win the game for his side.

Here are the Arsenal player ratings from their 1-1 draw with Como.

Arsenal 1-1 (4-3p) Como player ratings

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Kepa Arrizabalaga (GK) - 6/10 - Made a good save to keep out Baturina's curling effort. Not much he could do about the Croatian's equaliser. Replaced by Raya at half-time.

Theo Julienne (RB) - 7/10 - Beaten by Baturina for him to break through and score the leveller. Linked up well with Dowman down the right flank. Subbed following the hour mark to end an impressive full debut in Arsenal colours.

Marli Salmon (CB) - 7.5/10 - Calm on the ball amid pressure from Como's attack. Really solid at the back throughout the game and was the final player to be withdrawn, coming off in the final minutes.

Gabriel Magalhães (CB) - 7/10 - Saw a well-taken header cleared off the line by a teammate. Solid at the back as he got another half of football under his belt before being withdrawn at the break.

Piero Hincapié (LB) - 7/10 - Involved in a great move to play in Ødegaard, who set up Vieira for a chance, but he couldn't convert. Taken off after an hour.

Midfielders

Ethan Nwaneri (CM) - 7/10 - Looked composed on the ball and dealt with pressure well. A bright end to his pre-season as he was taken off following the first-half.

Myles Lewis-Skelly (CM) - 7.5/10 - Put his side in front with a well-taken effort from the edge after combining with Martinelli. Constantly looked to press the opposition before being replaced after an hour.

Eberechi Eze (CM) - 7/10 - Saw a free kick go just over the bar in the early stages. Calm when in possession and looked eager to press and get involved in attack. Withdrawn after half an hour.

Forwards

Max Dowman (RW) - 7/10 - Tracked back to help defend but was beaten by Baturina for the equaliser. Looked really confident on the ball once again and he combined well with Julienne up and down the flank. Subbed at the halfway point.

Gabriel Jesus (ST) - 6.5/10 - Presented a chance to score into an empty net from a tight angle early on, but struck the post. Held the ball up well and made some good passes. Replaced after 31 minutes.

Gabriel Martinelli (LW) - 7/10 - Helped win back possession to set Lewis-Skelly up for the opening goal. Had a brilliant moment of individual brilliance when he held onto the ball to start a quick move. Withdrawn just after the hour.

Substitutes

• Fábio Vieira (on 32' for Eze, taken off 62') - 6.5/10
• Viktor Gyökeres (on 32' for Jesus, taken off 62') - 6.5/10
• Bruno Guimarães (on 46' for Nwaneri) - 7.5/10
• Cristhian Mosquera (on 46' for Gabriel) - 7/10
• Martin Ødegaard (on 46' for Dowman) - 7/10
• David Raya (on 46' for Kepa) - 7/10
• Ben White (on 62' for Julienne) - 6.5/10
• Riccardo Calafiori (on 62' for Hincapié) - 6.5/10
• Christos Tzolis (on 62' for Martinelli) - 7/10
• Mikel Merino (on 62' for Lewis-Skelly) - 6.5/10
• Kai Havertz (on 62' for Gyökeres) - 6.5/10
• Noni Madueke (on 62' for Vieira) - 7/10
• Josh Ogunnaike (on 88' for Salmon) - N/A

Player of the match: Marli Salmon

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