Cesc Fabregas, an iconic figure at Arsenal, is set for an emotional return to his boyhood club this summer. His team Como will travel to north London for a pre-season friendly. The former Gunners captain will lead the Italian side onto the pitch at the Emirates Stadium on August 12, as both clubs fine-tune their preparations for the 2026-2027 campaign.
An emotional return for a Gunners legend
Scheduled for Wednesday evening at 19:30 BST, this match marks Fabregas’s return to his old stomping ground, this time as a manager. It is bound to be a moving moment for the Spaniard, who made his professional debut at Arsenal in 2003 and spent eight years at the club before joining Barcelona, becoming a fan idol. For Como, the trip to the Emirates represents a major step in their meteoric rise and serves as a real test against one of world football’s giants, just before they embark on their first-ever Champions League campaign.
A historic fixture in north London
Despite the close ties Fabregas has with both clubs, Arsenal and Como have never met before, regardless of the competition. The match has generated significant excitement among supporters of both sides, with the Italian club eager to see how their squad measures up against Mikel Arteta’s formidable team.
“Como 1907 will travel to the Emirates Stadium this summer to face Arsenal, the reigning English champions and Champions League finalists, in a pre-season friendly,” the club confirmed in a statement. “This match marks the very first meeting between Como 1907 and Arsenal, and will allow the Lariani to experience the magical and iconic setting of the Emirates Stadium.”
Champions League preparations for Como
Last season, Como secured a dramatic qualification for Europe’s elite by finishing in the top four of Serie A, ahead of powerhouses like AC Milan and Juventus. The club is now investing heavily to remain competitive on all fronts, having recently spent 60 million euros to retain their star playmaker Nico Paz, who was on loan from Real Madrid.
“For the BiancoBlu, this will be an excellent opportunity to test themselves against one of the strongest and most consistent teams in Europe, ahead of a season that will see Como 1907 compete in the UEFA Champions League for the first time in their history,” the statement continued. “Fans will be able to purchase general admission tickets for this match; further information regarding ticketing will be announced soon via the club’s official channels.”
Preparing for an intense 2026-2027 season
This friendly comes at a perfect time for both teams: it takes place exactly ten days before the visitors begin their Serie A season at Udinese, and just nine days before Arsenal start the defence of their Premier League title against Coventry City. The Gunners will look to use this opportunity to sharpen their weapons, aiming for another dominant domestic campaign. The Emirates crowd is expected to give Fabregas a triumphant welcome, but once the whistle blows, all eyes will be on whether his team can hold their own against these English heavyweights.
