Young Arsenal defender Myles Lewis-Skelly had been at the centre of intense speculation in recent days.

Lewis-Skelly appeared to send a message to Arsenal supporters after finding the net in a pre-season draw against Como.

The Gunners wrapped up their pre-season schedule with a 1-1 draw against Cesc Fabregas’ team, with Lewis-Skelly putting his boyhood club ahead in the first half.

His goal came after a dramatic previous 24 hours in which he had become the focus of transfer rumours, with Standard Sport reporting that both Chelsea and Manchester United had been offered the opportunity to sign him.

However, after capitalising on a poor pass out from Jean Butez and calmly finishing from the edge of the box, Lewis-Skelly turned to the fans. He made a heart gesture with his hands towards all four stands before thumping the badge on his chest, seemingly indicating that he is ready to remain at the club he has represented since the age of eight.

Arsenal are still expected to be active in the transfer market this summer, but after this commanding display in midfield, Lewis-Skelly allowed his football to make the statement. He looks prepared to battle for his place, despite the £75m arrival of Bruno Guimaraes.

Mikel Arteta selected a fairly strong starting side against Como, even though Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Martin Zubimendi were left out of the matchday squad. Eberechi Eze got his first minutes since returning from his post-World Cup break, while second-half substitute Noni Madueke also featured.

After failing to win either of their previous two friendly matches, in which they conceded a combined six goals against Real Betis and Borussia Dortmund, the Gunners were in need of an immediate response here.

That is precisely what they produced. Right from the start, Arsenal hemmed Como in with an aggressive press, forcing Butez into several mistakes that they struggled to convert, with Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli linking up but wasting some decent openings.

Debutant: Bruno Guimaraes

Eventually, though, one of the goalkeeper’s loose passes led to the opening goal, and Lewis-Skelly took full advantage.

Arsenal were unable to extend their lead and were pulled back by a moment of quality from Croatia star Martin Baturina. During one of Como’s few attacks into the final third, he drifted past weak challenges from Theo Julienne and Max Dowman before smashing a powerful finish beyond Kepa Arrizabalaga on the stroke of half-time to make it 1-1.

At the interval, Arteta sent on the cavalry, introducing players such as debutant Guimaraes, Martin Odegaard and Viktor Gyokeres, before making another six substitutions with half an hour remaining.

Despite the extra quality on the pitch, clear-cut chances stayed scarce. In an unwelcome echo of last season, Arsenal looked most dangerous from set-pieces, but they could not find a winner.

The pre-arranged penalty shootout therefore became decisive, and two sharp saves from David Raya put Arsenal in control before Christos Tzolis converted his own penalty to seal victory.