Arsenal FC will welcome Italian side Como at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, August 12, in a preseason friendly that promises more than just a warm‑up for the new campaign. The fixture marks the first meeting between Gunners manager Mikel Arteta and former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fàbregas, a player whose return to the Premier League via Chelsea has sparked both nostalgia and controversy among supporters.
Fàbregas left Arsenal for Barcelona in 2011 before a high‑profile stint at Chelsea brought him back to England. His re‑appearance in the top flight has been met with mixed feelings from the Arsenal faithful, who still regard him as a key figure in the club’s recent history. The Italian club, fresh from a fourth‑place finish in Serie A, are gearing up for a Champions League campaign that will pit them against Arsenal’s own ambitions.
Broadcast Details and Kick‑off Times
The match will kick off at 7:30 p.m. BST, 2:30 p.m. ET and 11:30 a.m. PT. Fans can stream the game via Arsenal.com, which offers individual passes for viewers worldwide, except in Italy. In Mexico the fixture will be shown on ESPN2 and Disney+, while Italian audiences can tune in to SportItalia for live coverage.
Arsenal’s next competitive outing will be the Community Shield against Manchester City, a match that will also feature new Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca in the dugout. The Gunners’ Premier League season opens on August 21 against newly promoted Coventry City, setting the stage for a campaign that could see Arteta’s side challenge for the title.
The Emirates Stadium, located in the heart of London, will host the friendly, while the nearby Principality Stadium in Cardiff is scheduled to host other pre‑season events later in the month. Both venues underscore Arsenal’s commitment to engaging with fans across the United Kingdom and beyond.