Cesc Fabregas Commends Arsenal's Patience with Mikel Arteta as Como Seeks to Emulate Club Culture

Former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has lauded the club’s leadership for their unwavering patience with manager Mikel Arteta during challenging times. Now managing Italian side Como, Fabregas revealed that his team is striving to mirror the culture and long-term vision seen at Arsenal.

Returning to Emirates with Como

Fabregas returned to the Emirates Stadium when Como played Arsenal in a pre-season friendly that ended 1-1, with Arsenal winning on penalties. The Spaniard openly praised Arsenal’s board for backing Arteta through difficult seasons, a faith that eventually resulted in the club securing the Premier League title last season. Fabregas highlighted how Arsenal’s dedication to a long-term plan stands out in today’s football environment, and he aims to bring that same stability to Como.

Admiration for Arsenal’s Long-Term Vision

Having made 303 appearances for Arsenal during his playing career, Fabregas emphasized the board’s commitment to their strategy despite early setbacks under Arteta. After the match, he shared:

"Congratulations to the club in general starting from seven, eight years ago when they first started with this project. Because what you see in football every day, what Arsenal did, especially in the difficult moments, it doesn’t exist. I told Edu, I told Andrea [Berta] when I came last year to a Champions League game, I said congratulations to the whole club for the patience, for sticking together, for sticking to the plan when for three years in a row, correct me if I’m wrong, finished eighth, eighth, eighth, fourth year nearly Champions League, it was a big disappointment, Tottenham came, you finish fifth, but you keep going because you have a plan, because you have an objective, because you have progression, you keep going forward."

Seeking to Build a Similar Culture at Como

Fabregas criticized the modern trend of rapidly sacking managers after a few losses, which often disrupts team consistency. He feels fortunate to be part of a project at Como focused on stability, inspired by Arsenal’s values and approach.

"We lack this in football today. You lose three games, change the coach, he was playing one style, now you play another, at the end of the day I don’t believe in this a lot. I’m very lucky I’m in a project, of course with much lower level, the history, everything, but we’re trying to look at the stability Arsenal had, the values, the culture that they are bringing. I think Mikel has done a tremendous job. So I can only wish them the best, really. Because most of the group, these guys now you talk to them, I don’t know… they’re good guys, they want to play good football, they are respectful, you can see how they stick to the plan all the time. Really, I’m super happy to come back here and smell this feeling."

Upcoming Fixtures

• 16 August 2026: Arsenal face Manchester City in the Community Shield at Cardiff.
• 22 August 2026: Arsenal begin their Premier League campaign against Coventry City.
• 16 August 2026: Como play two friendlies against Liverpool, first behind closed doors, then with fans.
• 28 August 2026: Como start their Serie A season facing Udinese.