Arsenal rounded off their pre-season build-up against Como 1907 at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening, with the final friendly arriving after a brief but important return to full numbers in training.
The club welcomed back their England and Spain stars on Tuesday, bringing an end to the post-World Cup break that had split the squad. That meant the final session before Arsenal Vs Como carried a different feel, with the side finally able to work together again ahead of the new campaign.
Back together before the final friendly
The return of those international players gave Arsenal a chance to settle into their usual rhythm before the last pre-season fixture. It also followed a 3-2 defeat by Borussia Dortmund in the Emirates Cup before Wednesday evening, a reminder that there was still work to do before the competitive matches begin.
For a pre-season schedule, the timing mattered. With the squad restored and one final match to play, the focus at the Sobha Realty Training Centre was on getting the group aligned again rather than chasing anything more dramatic.
What Wednesday evening represented
Arsenal Vs Como was not just another friendly. It was the last chance for the squad to sharpen up in match conditions before the season resumes, and a useful moment to see how the returning England and Spain players fit back into the picture.
The test against Como 1907 at Emirates Stadium also brought a clear sense of closure to pre-season. After the split caused by the post-World Cup break, Arsenal could now move forward with a fuller group and a final competitive edge restored before the real fixtures start to matter.
