Bruno Guimaraes is in line to make his Arsenal debut in tonight’s friendly against Como, but he starts on the bench at the Emirates. The new £75million midfielder was paraded in front of fans ahead of kick-off against Borussia Dortmund on Sunday, but was not involved in the matchday squad.
Guimaraes Builds Fitness
Guimaraes had already started training with his new team-mates before that game and has continued to do so over the last couple of days as he builds his fitness. Mikel Arteta could opt to start Guimaraes and play him for 30 minutes, as he did with Martin Odegaard against Dortmund and some of the other late returners from the World Cup earlier in pre-season.
Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice are among those back in training but this match comes too soon for them and neither make the matchday squad.
Raya and White Updates
David Raya may play some part as he starts on the bench, though, potentially getting 45 minutes and splitting the goalkeeper duties with starter Kepa Arrizabalaga. With Jurrien Timber still weeks away from returning and William Saliba a long-term absentee, Arteta is slightly short of options on the right side of his defence.
That has led to him being cautious with Ben White's fitness. The right-back recovered from an MCL injury over the summer and has played a significant part in pre-season. However, with the Community Shield looming on Sunday, Arteta opts against risking White and instead brings in Theo Julienne for this friendly.
Arsenal XI and Subs
Arsenal XI: Arrizabalaga; Julienne, Salmon, Gabriel, Hincapie; Lewis-Skelly, Eze, Nwaneri; Dowman, Jesus, Martinelli
Subs: Raya, Meslier, Setford, Mosquera, White, Calafiori, Ogunnaike, Merino, Guimaraes, Odegaard, Tzolis, Madueke, Viera, Gyokeres, Havertz
Injured: Timber, Saliba
Time and date: 7.30pm on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. Venue: Emirates Stadium, London. How to watch: Arsenal YouTube.
