Arsenal vs Como: Prediction, Betting Tips and Match Preview
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ComoMatch events
Match statistics: Arsenal vs Como
💡 Match preview Arsenal vs Como
By Kelechi Balogun — Football expert specializing in European and American leagues
Arsenal’s final dress rehearsal before the competitive season kicks off is a friendly against Como – a club from the shores of Lake Como that harbours serious ambitions after qualifying for the Champions League for the first time. The encounter carries extra spice because the visitors’ manager is Cesc Fàbregas, the former Arsenal midfielder who made 303 appearances for the Gunners and now returns to the Emirates as the head coach of the opposition.
Tactical Analysis: Arsenal
Arsenal have been chasing Premier League glory for some time, but they show no intention of resting on their laurels. With most of their main rivals undergoing significant squad overhauls, the Gunners – thanks to their continuity and stability – look like the strongest contenders for the title this season. However, their pre‑season friendlies have not all gone smoothly. They had no trouble against MK Dons (3‑0) of League One or Girona (4‑1), who were relegated to the Segunda División, but they suffered defeats in meetings with Champions League participants: 1‑3 against Betis and 2‑3 against Borussia Dortmund.
Mikel Arteta is known for his pragmatic approach, but in non‑competitive matches his players usually adopt a far more relaxed, attacking style. So it is no surprise that low‑scoring games have been absent from their summer schedule. Moreover, many squad members who featured at the World Cup – Raya, Rice, Merino, Eze, Saka, and Subimendi – have only recently returned to the group and did not take part in earlier friendlies. Two key defensive players, Timber and Saliba, are still recovering from injuries.
In previous warm‑ups, Arsenal’s lineup was far from first‑choice, featuring several youngsters and perennial squad players. The new Greek signing from Club Brugge, Christos Tzolis, stood out: he quickly integrated into the team’s combination play and was not afraid to take on defenders. Having contributed a goal or an assist in each of his last three friendlies, he has virtually secured the left‑wing spot. Bruno Guimarães, signed from Newcastle, is also expected to be a major asset in central midfield, and he is likely to make his debut for the club in this match.
Tactical Analysis: Como
Cesc Fàbregas has already made history at Como by becoming the first coach to lead the club into European competition – and straight into the Champions League. The Lombardy side did not win the domestic Coppa Como this year, but they remained unbeaten in regulation time in the group stage against Saudi side Al‑Ula (3‑1) and Villarreal (1‑1, losing on penalties). They also avoided defeat in two full length friendlies this summer, beating Famalicão 3‑2 in the third‑place match and drawing 2‑2 with Paris FC at the start of their training camp.
Como stick to their trademark bold style – a blend of possession football and intense pressing – whether in official games or exhibition matches. Even without Nico Paz, who was resting after the World Cup, the visitors’ attack looked impressive. Young newcomer Mattia Liberali, the 19‑year‑old Milan youth product who will serve as backup for the Argentine star next season, has already scored his first goal for the club, finding the net against Villarreal.
The Italian side also strengthened their defence by signing England international Trevoh Chalobah from Chelsea, plus two Brazilians: Yan Couto from Borussia Dortmund and Kaiki from Cruzeiro. So far, only Kaiki has made his debut for the club, and he has been noticed more for his rampaging runs down the left flank than for solid defensive work. The centre‑forward position remains problematic: Álvaro Morata flopped badly at Como and lost the coach’s trust, while relying solely on Duvikas for two demanding fronts is unlikely to be enough.
Predicted Lineups
Arsenal (4‑3‑3): Arrizabalaga – White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori – Ødegaard, Lewis‑Skelly, Havertz – Dowman, Gyökeres, Tzolis
Out: Saliba, Timber (both injured)
Head coach: Mikel Arteta
Como (4‑2‑3‑1): Butez – Couto, Kempf, Ramón, Kaiki – Milla, Da Cunha – Diao, Liberali, Baturina – Duvikas
Out: Paz, Chalobah (both doubtful)
Head coach: Cesc Fàbregas
Prediction and Bet
The main prediction: despite losing their last two friendlies, Arsenal are the clear favourites in this contest. Como are not used to facing Europe’s elite clubs, and their most recent such experience ended in a 5‑0 thrashing by Barcelona during last summer’s pre‑season. The Lombardy side have definitely improved since then, but their overly open style combined with defensive frailties does not bode well for them at the Emirates. Furthermore, the hosts should enjoy a fitness advantage: their first official match – the Community Shield against Manchester City – is on Sunday, while Como’s season starts a week later. In these circumstances, we back Arsenal to win with a handicap of -1.5 at odds of 2.02.
Goal‑related prediction: the Italians possess considerable attacking firepower and could well score against the reigning English champions. In the current pre‑season, Como have found the net in all four friendlies, even though two of those lasted only 45 minutes. Arsenal, meanwhile, have conceded in three consecutive matches. A bet on both teams to score at 1.67 makes clear sense.
Kelechi Balogun is a football expert with a focus on the Virslīga, Úrvalsdeild, MLS All-Star Game, and youth championships. He has been analyzing these leagues for over a decade, paying close attention to team form, squad rotations, and tactical adjustments. His approach to predictions is based on statistical data, including shot accuracy and fixture congestion, rather than subjective opinions.
All articles by this author →The editorial prediction is provided for informational purposes only and should not be treated as a direct call to action. Every reader should do their own analysis before deciding on a bet.
Starting lineups: Arsenal vs Como
Arsenal4-3-3Como4-2-3-1Match odds Arsenal vs Como
Result (1X2)
Double chance
Both teams to score
Over
Under
Handicap 1
Handicap 2
Correct score
Predictions for Arsenal vs Como
Arsenal and Como meet in a Club Friendly on 12 August, and this one has goals written all over it. The over 5.5 line at 6.00 is the bet to be on — I expect the net to bulge plenty and this pick to cash comfortably.
Arsenal vs Como in a Club Friendly on August 12th. I'm backing this one to have at least two goals. The odds are short at 1.08, but the bet is solid. Both sides have attacking talent and friendlies often end with goals, especially as teams test their lineups. There's no reason to think this game will be a dull, low-scoring affair, so over 1.5 goals is the straightforward pick here.
Arsenal and Como meet in a club friendly, and this is a perfect setup to bet on under three total goals. Como are set to play in the Champions League, so they’ll treat this as a serious test match and try to keep it tight defensively. There’s no reason to expect a high-scoring affair here.
Arsenal and Como have enough firepower to notch a couple of goals before the break. This is a friendly, but both sides will be looking to get sharp — I expect the first half to deliver at least two strikes.
Arsenal face Como in a Club Friendly, and I'm taking corners over 8.5 at 1.74. This is a pure contrarian play—I'm betting against my own instinct, with no deep breakdown or stats to back it up. Just a straightforward call on the total.
Arsenal is still far from top form, and that's a problem when facing Como's dangerous attack. The visitors have real quality up front, and I expect them to exploit the hosts' lack of sharpness.
Como will get their chances in this friendly, and I'm backing them to score at least twice. At 2.04, the odds on Team 2 over 1 goal make this a solid play for me.
Arsenal’s defense is notoriously stingy, but Como’s attacking style should still generate enough pressure to force a handful of corner kicks. Even in a friendly, the Italian side won’t sit back, and getting over 2.5 team corners looks like a solid bet at 1.61. I’m backing Como to deliver here.
Arsenal are expected to roll out their strongest XI here, with the Super Cup clash against Manchester City just around the corner. That kind of preparation usually means a sharp, commanding display — and against Como, I see them covering the -1.5 handicap with ease. That's why I'm backing Arsenal -1.5 at 2.09.
Como aren't just here to make up the numbers in this friendly, so I'm backing the visitors to get on the scoresheet at least once. Arsenal's defence hasn't been the rock-solid unit we've all come to expect, and with the 2.04 on offer, the odds for Como scoring over one goal look too good to ignore.
Both teams will find the net in this friendly. Arsenal and Como are set to trade goals, and I'm backing that outcome.
Arsenal vs Como in a friendly, and I'm backing the visitors to score at least once. The odds of 2.04 are too good to pass up for what I see as a near-certainty.
Como are more than capable of finding the net here. They have the attacking quality to trouble Arsenal's defense, even if it's just a single goal. This bet feels solid—expect Como to get on the scoresheet.
The second half is where the action will be in this Arsenal vs Como friendly. I'm confident there will be plenty of goals, so I'm backing Over 2.5 goals in the second half at 2.82.
Arsenal and Como’s average total screams a high-scoring friendly. The numbers point to goals at both ends, so backing both teams to score is the straightforward call.
Arsenal's consistent scoring and conceding pattern makes over 3.5 goals a natural pick in this friendly against Como. Both sides should contribute to a high-scoring affair.
The friendly between Arsenal and Como looks set to produce at least three goals. At 1.61, backing the over is the logical play — I'm confident this total gets covered.
Arsenal will get the job done in this friendly. I'm backing them with a -1 handicap — they should win by at least two goals.
Under 2.5 goals is the play for Arsenal vs Como. I'm backing this friendly to stay tight and low-scoring.
Como will show their football against Arsenal in this friendly. I'm backing them to score over 1 goal at 2.17.
This friendly between Arsenal and Como is a pure luck check. I'm backing the visitors to avoid defeat at 2.89 — double chance X2 feels like the right call here.
Arsenal vs Como in a preseason friendly is the kind of fixture where the usual logic goes out the window. That's exactly why I'm backing Como's team total over 2.5 at 9.50 — in a meaningless game, the underdog scoring three is far from impossible.
Arsenal's squad depth is miles ahead of Como's — even with rotation, that gap doesn't close. This friendly comes at the perfect time for the Gunners: their starters are ready for serious minutes, and the return of key players plus the arrival of Bruno Guimarães will lift the overall quality. I'm backing the hosts to win by at least two goals.
Arsenal is about to face a resurgent Como side that is rapidly climbing the ranks in Italy. This team, led by a Spanish coach, is no longer just a giant-slayer; they are positioning themselves to compete at the very top of the table.
Given the
Fewer than 8.5 corners will be taken in this match. That's my confident prediction.
Arsenal's defense in these friendlies has been leaky, and Como can definitely make them pay. With a 9.10 price, backing the visitors to score over 2.5 goals is a massive value swing—this isn't just a punt, it's a calculated read on the mismatch.
Arsenal against Como in a friendly — that’s the kind of setup where goals tend to flow freely. Both sides have attacking quality and little reason to sit back, so I’m backing the total to go over 3.5. The odds at 2.09 make it a solid value play for a match that should see plenty of action.
Arsenal's form in pre-season friendlies has been woeful. That's why I'm backing the double chance on Como or a draw at 2.82 — a bet that offers real value given how poorly the Gunners have looked in these matches.
Over 8.5 corners at 1.90 is the pick. Both Arsenal and Como will play open, attacking football in this friendly, which naturally leads to a high volume of corner kicks.
Arsenal might be the bigger name, but in a friendly setting, that doesn't guarantee much. Como have the quality to hold their own and avoid a loss here. The odds of 2.82 for a double chance on the visitors or a draw look generous for a side that can frustrate the Gunners.
Arsenal against Como in a friendly—there’s room for corners here. I’m taking Over 8.5 at 1.90.
Arsenal's humiliating loss to Borussia will fuel a strong response. Against Como in this friendly, I expect them to dominate and cover the -1.5 handicap at 2.13. The Gunners need to prove their quality, and this is the perfect chance.
Both teams get off to a sensible start, and I'm backing goals to come early in this friendly. With Arsenal and Como both likely to push for a confident opening, I see at least two goals hitting the net before the halftime whistle. The odds of 2.11 for over 1.5 goals in the first half offer solid value here. This is a straightforward call based on their tendency to kick off with purpose.
This is a home friendly for Arsenal, and I see it as a straightforward opportunity for them to get a good workout against Como. With the Gunners controlling the tempo at the Emirates, I expect them to push forward and create plenty of chances.
The line is set at Over 3 goals, and I’m backing it confidently. Arsenal’s attacking quality should be enough to cover this total on their own, but even a single goal from Como would seal the bet early. It’s a clean, logical pick for a pre-season match where the hosts are clearly the superior side.
Arsenal will take this friendly with a slim 2-1 win. That's the exact scoreline I'm backing.
Arsenal have been leaking goals in their recent friendlies, conceding a total of six times in their last two matches. That’s pretty shaky defense right now.
Given Como’s attacking potential against a side that’s not fully locked in at the back, I’m backing the visitors to find the net at least twice here. The odds at just under 3.0 make it a solid value play for me.
Arsenal finally break their scoring drought in preseason. This friendly against Como is the perfect spot for the Gunners to put up a big number and grab a win. I'm backing them to finish with at least three goals — the 2.28 odds are too good to pass up.
Double chance: Predictions and Odds for Upcoming Matches
This friendly between Arsenal and Como is a pure luck check. I'm backing the visitors to avoid defeat at 2.89 — double chance X2 feels like the right call here.
Arsenal is about to face a resurgent Como side that is rapidly climbing the ranks in Italy. This team, led by a Spanish coach, is no longer just a giant-slayer; they are positioning themselves to compete at the very top of the table.
Given the
Arsenal's form in pre-season friendlies has been woeful. That's why I'm backing the double chance on Como or a draw at 2.82 — a bet that offers real value given how poorly the Gunners have looked in these matches.
Arsenal might be the bigger name, but in a friendly setting, that doesn't guarantee much. Como have the quality to hold their own and avoid a loss here. The odds of 2.82 for a double chance on the visitors or a draw look generous for a side that can frustrate the Gunners.
Over: Predictions and Odds for Upcoming Matches
Arsenal and Como meet in a Club Friendly on 12 August, and this one has goals written all over it. The over 5.5 line at 6.00 is the bet to be on — I expect the net to bulge plenty and this pick to cash comfortably.
Arsenal vs Como in a Club Friendly on August 12th. I'm backing this one to have at least two goals. The odds are short at 1.08, but the bet is solid. Both sides have attacking talent and friendlies often end with goals, especially as teams test their lineups. There's no reason to think this game will be a dull, low-scoring affair, so over 1.5 goals is the straightforward pick here.
Arsenal and Como have enough firepower to notch a couple of goals before the break. This is a friendly, but both sides will be looking to get sharp — I expect the first half to deliver at least two strikes.
Arsenal face Como in a Club Friendly, and I'm taking corners over 8.5 at 1.74. This is a pure contrarian play—I'm betting against my own instinct, with no deep breakdown or stats to back it up. Just a straightforward call on the total.
Arsenal is still far from top form, and that's a problem when facing Como's dangerous attack. The visitors have real quality up front, and I expect them to exploit the hosts' lack of sharpness.
Como will get their chances in this friendly, and I'm backing them to score at least twice. At 2.04, the odds on Team 2 over 1 goal make this a solid play for me.
Arsenal’s defense is notoriously stingy, but Como’s attacking style should still generate enough pressure to force a handful of corner kicks. Even in a friendly, the Italian side won’t sit back, and getting over 2.5 team corners looks like a solid bet at 1.61. I’m backing Como to deliver here.
Como aren't just here to make up the numbers in this friendly, so I'm backing the visitors to get on the scoresheet at least once. Arsenal's defence hasn't been the rock-solid unit we've all come to expect, and with the 2.04 on offer, the odds for Como scoring over one goal look too good to ignore.
Arsenal vs Como in a friendly, and I'm backing the visitors to score at least once. The odds of 2.04 are too good to pass up for what I see as a near-certainty.
Como are more than capable of finding the net here. They have the attacking quality to trouble Arsenal's defense, even if it's just a single goal. This bet feels solid—expect Como to get on the scoresheet.
The second half is where the action will be in this Arsenal vs Como friendly. I'm confident there will be plenty of goals, so I'm backing Over 2.5 goals in the second half at 2.82.
Arsenal's consistent scoring and conceding pattern makes over 3.5 goals a natural pick in this friendly against Como. Both sides should contribute to a high-scoring affair.
The friendly between Arsenal and Como looks set to produce at least three goals. At 1.61, backing the over is the logical play — I'm confident this total gets covered.
Como will show their football against Arsenal in this friendly. I'm backing them to score over 1 goal at 2.17.
Arsenal vs Como in a preseason friendly is the kind of fixture where the usual logic goes out the window. That's exactly why I'm backing Como's team total over 2.5 at 9.50 — in a meaningless game, the underdog scoring three is far from impossible.
Arsenal's defense in these friendlies has been leaky, and Como can definitely make them pay. With a 9.10 price, backing the visitors to score over 2.5 goals is a massive value swing—this isn't just a punt, it's a calculated read on the mismatch.
Arsenal against Como in a friendly — that’s the kind of setup where goals tend to flow freely. Both sides have attacking quality and little reason to sit back, so I’m backing the total to go over 3.5. The odds at 2.09 make it a solid value play for a match that should see plenty of action.
Over 8.5 corners at 1.90 is the pick. Both Arsenal and Como will play open, attacking football in this friendly, which naturally leads to a high volume of corner kicks.
Arsenal against Como in a friendly—there’s room for corners here. I’m taking Over 8.5 at 1.90.
Both teams get off to a sensible start, and I'm backing goals to come early in this friendly. With Arsenal and Como both likely to push for a confident opening, I see at least two goals hitting the net before the halftime whistle. The odds of 2.11 for over 1.5 goals in the first half offer solid value here. This is a straightforward call based on their tendency to kick off with purpose.
This is a home friendly for Arsenal, and I see it as a straightforward opportunity for them to get a good workout against Como. With the Gunners controlling the tempo at the Emirates, I expect them to push forward and create plenty of chances.
The line is set at Over 3 goals, and I’m backing it confidently. Arsenal’s attacking quality should be enough to cover this total on their own, but even a single goal from Como would seal the bet early. It’s a clean, logical pick for a pre-season match where the hosts are clearly the superior side.
Arsenal have been leaking goals in their recent friendlies, conceding a total of six times in their last two matches. That’s pretty shaky defense right now.
Given Como’s attacking potential against a side that’s not fully locked in at the back, I’m backing the visitors to find the net at least twice here. The odds at just under 3.0 make it a solid value play for me.
Arsenal finally break their scoring drought in preseason. This friendly against Como is the perfect spot for the Gunners to put up a big number and grab a win. I'm backing them to finish with at least three goals — the 2.28 odds are too good to pass up.
Under: Predictions and Odds for Upcoming Matches
Arsenal and Como meet in a club friendly, and this is a perfect setup to bet on under three total goals. Como are set to play in the Champions League, so they’ll treat this as a serious test match and try to keep it tight defensively. There’s no reason to expect a high-scoring affair here.
Under 2.5 goals is the play for Arsenal vs Como. I'm backing this friendly to stay tight and low-scoring.
Fewer than 8.5 corners will be taken in this match. That's my confident prediction.
Handicap: Predictions and Odds for Upcoming Matches
Arsenal are expected to roll out their strongest XI here, with the Super Cup clash against Manchester City just around the corner. That kind of preparation usually means a sharp, commanding display — and against Como, I see them covering the -1.5 handicap with ease. That's why I'm backing Arsenal -1.5 at 2.09.
Arsenal will get the job done in this friendly. I'm backing them with a -1 handicap — they should win by at least two goals.
Arsenal's squad depth is miles ahead of Como's — even with rotation, that gap doesn't close. This friendly comes at the perfect time for the Gunners: their starters are ready for serious minutes, and the return of key players plus the arrival of Bruno Guimarães will lift the overall quality. I'm backing the hosts to win by at least two goals.
Arsenal's humiliating loss to Borussia will fuel a strong response. Against Como in this friendly, I expect them to dominate and cover the -1.5 handicap at 2.13. The Gunners need to prove their quality, and this is the perfect chance.
Both teams to score: Predictions and Odds for Upcoming Matches
Both teams will find the net in this friendly. Arsenal and Como are set to trade goals, and I'm backing that outcome.
Arsenal and Como’s average total screams a high-scoring friendly. The numbers point to goals at both ends, so backing both teams to score is the straightforward call.
Correct score: Predictions and Odds for Upcoming Matches
Arsenal will take this friendly with a slim 2-1 win. That's the exact scoreline I'm backing.
Match poster
❓ Frequently asked questions
When and where is the Arsenal vs Como friendly being played?
The match takes place on 12 August 2026 at 19:30 at the Emirates Stadium in London.
Who is the favorite to win this friendly?
Arsenal are the clear favorites, and the recommended bet is Arsenal to win with a handicap of -1.5 at odds of 2.02.
What is the main betting prediction for this game?
The analysis backs Arsenal -1.5 handicap (odds 2.02) and also suggests both teams to score (odds 1.67), as Arsenal have conceded in three consecutive friendlies while Como have scored in all four of their pre-season matches.
Are there any key injuries or absentees for either side?
For Arsenal, defenders Timber and Saliba are injured. For Como, Nico Paz and Trevoh Chalobah are both doubtful.
Why is this match special apart from being a pre-season friendly?
The Como manager is Cesc Fàbregas, the former Arsenal midfielder who made 303 appearances for the Gunners, making his return to the Emirates as an opponent particularly noteworthy.