SBOTOP : Cesc Fabregas Returns to Arsenal as Como Aim to Prove Their Character

Cesc Fabregas returned to Arsenal, but this time the former Gunners star walked into the Emirates Stadium in a completely different role.

Once a key player for Arsenal, Fabregas is now building his coaching career and arrived in London as the head coach of Como. The Italian side faced Arsenal in a pre-season friendly, creating an emotional reunion for the Spanish coach.

For Fabregas, the occasion naturally carried plenty of personal meaning. However, he was determined not to make the match about himself.

Instead, the Como coach wanted his young players to experience what it feels like to face one of Europe’s biggest clubs in front of a huge crowd.

Fabregas Returns to a Special Place

Fabregas spent some of the most memorable years of his playing career at Arsenal. He developed into an influential midfielder at the club and became one of the most recognizable young talents in English football.

Returning to the Emirates Stadium was therefore always going to be an emotional moment.

Yet Fabregas insisted that his own story should not distract from the purpose of the match.

“This is incredible. I think this is a very good opportunity for us. I am the least important person here,” Fabregas told Sportitalia.

The comment perfectly reflected his approach.

Rather than focusing on his reunion with Arsenal, Fabregas wanted attention to remain on Como and the players trying to establish themselves at the highest level.

Around 65,000 supporters were expected to create a major atmosphere at the Emirates, giving Como’s young squad an experience that cannot easily be replicated during normal training sessions.

A Special Arsenal Reunion for Fabregas

Fabregas admitted that returning to Arsenal was a special experience because of the memories he created there.

The midfielder became a central figure for the Gunners after emerging from the club’s academy. His technical ability, passing range and football intelligence eventually made him one of Arsenal’s most important players.

Now, however, his priorities are completely different.

“It is very nice to come back to a place where I was very, very happy. Of course, but I am more interested in seeing how the players play in front of 65,000 people and how we deal with the atmosphere,” Fabregas said.

That mentality highlights the transition Fabregas has made from player to coach.

He is no longer thinking about his own performance. Instead, his attention is on how his team responds to pressure, follows instructions and maintains its identity.

Como Must Show Their Character

Fabregas does not want Como to abandon their football simply because Arsenal are on the other side.

The Spanish coach believes matches against elite opposition should test a team without forcing it to lose its identity.

“I want to see us continue to play as we usually do, with character and showing what we can do,” Fabregas explained.

That message could be particularly important for Como’s young squad.

Playing against Arsenal can easily create nerves, especially when the match is played in front of a packed stadium. Players may naturally become more cautious or attempt to avoid mistakes.

Fabregas, however, wants the opposite.

His expectations are clear:

1. Play with confidence.
2. Maintain Como’s usual style.
3. Show personality under pressure.
4. Use the experience to improve.
5. Compete without being intimidated by the occasion.

For a developing team, these lessons can be just as valuable as the final score.

Arsenal and Liverpool Tests Designed for Young Players

Como’s pre-season schedule includes matches against major clubs such as Arsenal and Liverpool. Fabregas sees these fixtures as an important part of the club’s development strategy.

The Como squad contains many players who are still teenagers or in the early stages of their professional careers.

“We have a very young squad, many players aged 19 or 20 in this team. So, the most important thing for them at this age is to gain experience in matches like these,” Fabregas said.

Facing elite opposition gives those players an opportunity to understand the difference between ordinary competitive football and matches played under enormous attention.

It is not simply about technical quality.

Young footballers must also learn how to manage pressure, noise, expectations and the emotional intensity that comes with playing against a famous club.

Experience Matters as Much as Technique

Fabregas believes young players can have excellent technical ability and still need time to develop other aspects of their game.

Playing against Arsenal provides exactly the type of challenge Como need during their development.

“We know we have quality and technique, but the more matches we play at this level, the more they develop,” Fabregas explained.

He also emphasized that football is about more than what happens with the ball.

“This is not only about quality, but also atmosphere and passion. Sometimes people forget that these things are also very important, just like football itself.”

That lesson could become one of the most valuable takeaways from Como’s pre-season.

Arsenal vs Como Starting Lineups

Arsenal started the match with a strong-looking lineup featuring several familiar names and promising talents.

Arsenal XI: Kepa, Julienne, Salmon, Gabriel, Hincapie, Lewis-Skelly, Eze, Nwaneri, Dowman, Jesus, Martinelli.

Arsenal substitutes: Raya, Setford, Meslier, Mosquera, White, Odegaard, Gyokeres, Tzolis, Madueke, Vieira, Merino, Havertz, Calafiori, Guimaraes, Ogunnaike.

Como also fielded a young and talented starting team.

Como XI: Butez, Kempf, Valle, Ramon, Couto, Baturina, Perrone, Liberali, Da Cunha, Diao, Douvikas.

Como substitutes: Audero, Tornqvist, Vigorito, Da Silva, Goldaniga, Milla, Morata, Caqueret, Gabrielloni, Dossena, Lahdo, Carballo, Kuhn, Fadera, Chalobah.

The lineups underlined the purpose of the fixture for both clubs. While Arsenal could use the match to prepare for the new season, Como had an additional opportunity to expose their young players to a major European stage.

Fabregas Wants Como to Grow Through Big Tests

Cesc Fabregas’ return to Arsenal was always going to attract attention. His history with the club made the occasion special, but the Como coach was determined to keep the focus elsewhere.

For him, the real story was the opportunity given to his young players.

Matches against Arsenal and Liverpool can provide lessons that training sessions simply cannot reproduce. The pressure, crowd, quality of opposition and intensity all force young footballers to adapt.

Fabregas wants Como to emerge from these experiences with greater confidence and maturity.

His return to Arsenal may have created the headline, but the bigger objective is clear: help Como develop a generation of players capable of performing with character when the pressure is at its highest.