Cesc Fabregas Commends Arsenal Leadership for Patience with Mikel Arteta as Como Seeks to Emulate Gunners' Culture

Former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has applauded the club's leadership for their steadfast support of Mikel Arteta during challenging times. Returning to the Emirates Stadium with his Como team for a pre-season friendly, Fabregas revealed that the Italian side is aiming to mirror Arsenal's culture and long-term approach.

Fabregas Highlights Arsenal's Long-Term Vision

During the friendly, which ended in a 1-1 draw before Arsenal triumphed on penalties, Fabregas openly praised the Gunners' board for their patience in backing Arteta through difficult phases. This loyalty contributed to Arsenal securing the Premier League title last season. He stressed how Arsenal’s dedication to a steady project is unusual in today’s football world and something he hopes to replicate at Como.

Spaniard Salutes Board’s Steadfastness

Having made 303 appearances for Arsenal, Fabregas noted how the club’s directors stood firm behind their strategy despite early 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 Looks to Adopt Arsenal’s Model

Fabregas remarked that the frequent quick changes in managers often undermine consistency in football. He considers himself fortunate to be part of a project at Como that tries to build on the values and culture Arsenal established.

"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 Matches for Arsenal and Como

• Arsenal: Face Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday, 16 August in Cardiff
• Arsenal: Begin Premier League title defense against newly promoted Coventry City six days later
• Como: Scheduled for two friendlies against Liverpool on the same Sunday; the first will be behind closed doors, the second open to fans
• Como: Serie A season opener against Udinese the following Saturday