Arsenal ratings vs Como: Myles Lewis-Skelly makes statement as Marli Salmon stars | OneFootball

Young stars stood out in draw with Cesc Fabregas’ side

This was a final chance for Mikel Arteta’s side to build fitness and sharpness before the Community Shield on Sunday and it was an improved display, certainly defensively, on the last couple of matches.

Myles Lewis-Skelly opened the scoring after Jean Butez made a mess of playing out from the back, before Martin Baturina equalised with a brilliant strike.

Arsenal then won the penalty shootout 4-3, as David Raya made two saves and Christos Tzolis settled it by firing into the top corner.

Matt Verri was at the Emirates to rate the Arsenal players...

On this summer’s showings, he’s fortunate to be No2 ahead of Meslier. Not a busy 45 minutes but he was unable to react in time when Baturina hammered past him at his near post. Raya’s return a very welcome one.

Looked promising going forward, playing Dowman in after a lovely run. Should also have scored when ducking away from a corner. Comfortable inverting into midfield but caught out defensively when Baturina skipped inside him.

Mopped up brilliantly on the cover. Pace got Arsenal out of trouble and he is so composed under pressure, whether that be when tested in behind or bringing it out of defence. Incredible how comfortable the 16-year-old looked.

Gabriel 6

Concern when he went down after being caught but seemed to be fine after that. Got too tight to Douvikas on occasion and looked a bit rushed. Nearly scored from a corner after a few minutes. Replaced at half-time.

Piero Hincapie 7

Involved in the move that Vieira should have finished. Got forward well on the overlap and didn’t really put a foot wrong defensively. Returned late after the World Cup but already looks up to speed.

Myles Lewis-Skelly 8

Emphatic response to recent speculation. As confident as he has looked as a No6. Kept Arsenal ticking in possession and full of energy pressing up the pitch. Got his reward when winning the ball high up the pitch and finishing well.

Ethan Nwaneri 7

Brilliant pressing created huge early chance for Eze and Jesus. Lovely footwork in the box to wriggle away and then backheel for Hincapie, who could have down more with cross. Has added an exciting edge to midfield this summer.

Eberechi Eze 7

Really bright in his first 30 minutes of pre-season. Combined nicely with Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri, and committed the Como defenders. Fired free-kick just over. Unselfish when squaring for Jesus to somehow miss.

Max Dowman 5

No lack of confidence but decision-making let him down at times. Tried to do too much on more than one occasion when simple passes were on. Great run set up Lewis-Skelly shot from distance. Pretty weak defending for Como goal.

Gabriel Jesus 4

Not much to suggest Arsenal are wrong for trying to sell him this summer. Largely played off the left and played a decent pass in behind for Martinelli, but otherwise loose in possession. Physicality just isn’t there either.

Gabriel Martinelli 5

Flashes of his pace in behind when in central positions and got the fans up with one great piece of footwork on the halfway line. But his final ball was poor and there was no real cutting edge. Frustrating again.

Substitutes:

Viktor Gyokeres (Jesus 32’) 5

Had one tame shot deflected away but otherwise hard to remember him touching the ball. Quiet night.

Fabio Vieira (Eze 32’) 4

Wasted a massive chance that was put on a plate for him by Odegaard. Set-piece delivery was poor too, looping up for Butez to easily claim.

Cristhian Mosquera (Gabriel 46’) 6

Was in the unfamiliar position of being the more experienced centre-back alongside Salmon. Never really tested.

Martin Odegaard (Nwaneri 46’) 7

Gorgeous footwork to play in Vieira just after half-time as he immediately made his mark. Confident spot-kick.

Bruno Guimaraes (Dowman 46’) 7

Tidy in possession without finding the really incisive pass. Tracked back superbly to stop one Como counter and then bailed out Gunners late on with top defending. Rolled penalty it.

David Raya (Kepa 46’) 8

Raced off his line to clear a couple of times and made a top save with his feet to deny Carballo late on. Two great saves in the shootout. Huge boost that he’s back.

Mikel Merino (Lewis-Skelly 61’) 5

One of his first touches was as rusty a pass as you will ever see, shanked out of play.

Ben White (Julienne 61’) 6

Minutes limited with the Community Shield in mind. Had little to do.

Riccardo Calafiori (Hincapie 61’) 6

Quiet by his standards in attack but positioned himself well defensively.

Noni Madueke (Vieira 61’) 6

Forced Butez into a sharp save when he lashed a strike at goal from distance. Hit the post in the shootout.

Christos Tzolis (Martinelli 61’) 6

Darted inside shortly after coming on but couldn’t get shot away. His corners are a big weapon. Hammered his penalty into the top corner to win it.

Kai Havertz (Gyokeres 61’) 5

Dragged a poor effort wide when it fell to him just outside the box. Denied winner by the offside flag with final kick. Dispatched penalty.