Cesc Fabregas Applauds Arsenal's Patience with Mikel Arteta as Como Seeks to Mirror Gunners' Culture

Former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has praised the club's leadership for their steady support of Mikel Arteta, especially during challenging times. Returning to Emirates Stadium with his team, Como, for a pre-season friendly, Fabregas revealed that the Italian club is aiming to build a culture and stability similar to that of the Gunners.

Fabregas Highlights Arsenal’s Long-Term Vision

During the friendly match, which ended in a 1-1 draw before Arsenal triumphed on penalties, Fabregas openly admired Arsenal’s board for their commitment to Arteta through tough phases. This persistence helped the club secure last season’s Premier League title. He noted how rare it is nowadays for clubs to maintain such a clear long-term strategy, something he now hopes to implement at Como.

Spaniard Praises Arsenal’s Consistent Strategy

Having played 303 matches for Arsenal, Fabregas spoke about the club’s board sticking to their plan despite initial setbacks under Arteta’s leadership.

"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."

Como Aims to Replicate Arsenal’s Stability and Values

Fabregas expressed concern over the modern habit of quickly changing managers after a few losses, which often breaks consistency. He feels lucky to be part of a project at Como that tries to emulate Arsenal’s approach by fostering a stable culture and strong values.

"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 for Arsenal and Como

• Arsenal will face Manchester City in the Community Shield in Cardiff on Sunday, 16 August.
• They will then start their Premier League title defence against newly promoted Coventry City six days later.
• Como will play two friendlies against Liverpool on the same day; the first behind closed doors, the second open to supporters.
• Following these, Como will begin their Serie A campaign against Udinese the next Saturday.