Arsenal defeated Como 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw, in a match where Myles Lewis-Skelly scored the opening goal amid speculation over his future.
The shootout victory came largely thanks to goalkeeper David Raya, after Martin Baturina had cancelled out Lewis-Skelly's opener two minutes before half-time.
The fixture provided a real test for Mikel Arteta's men against a Como side managed by former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas.
Arsenal will next face Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday.
Marli Salmon shines in defence
Mikel Arteta threw down the challenge to his youngsters against the Italian side, with another young gem coming through the Hale End pipeline in Marli Salmon.
Sixteen-year-old Salmon stood out in a rare first-team start at centre-back. He was joined in the starting line-up by fellow 16-year-old Max Dowman and 18-year-old Theo Julienne, who was making his first senior team start.
Last season, Salmon would typically feature as a right-back when coming on as a substitute in first-team matches. He made one appearance in the Champions League and three in the FA Cup, including a start against Mansfield Town.
Against Como, the teenager coped well with the physical challenge, playing with steel and conviction alongside Gabriel in the centre of defence.
The opposition were wary of taking Salmon on. His confidence on the ball and his runs made a real mark, as he occasionally progressed into the opposition half, using a burst of speed to evade players.
The performance took the crowd by surprise. Arteta demonstrated his confidence in the teenager by keeping him on the pitch until the 88th minute, capping what was a baptism of fire that the defender will remember.
Lewis-Skelly responds to transfer talk
Myles Lewis-Skelly opened the scoring on 33 minutes to put Arsenal ahead.
The 19-year-old headed down a clearance from goalkeeper Jean Butez to Gabriel Martinelli. Martinelli then teed up the teenager to strike the ball home.
The goal was met by chants of "Myles Lewis-Skelly, he's one of our own" from the crowd, on an evening he used to remind observers of his talents.
His performance came amid reports suggesting intermediaries have offered him to Chelsea and Manchester United. Arsenal have insisted that this is not the case.
Lewis-Skelly celebrated by clasping his hands together towards the crowd before making a heart sign, delivering a clear message regarding his intentions.
The midfielder, who started in last season's Champions League final, brushed the noise aside to produce a promising display in the young line-up. His ceiling is high and his future is bright at Arsenal.
Jesus replaced early
Gabriel Jesus started the match as the main striker, with both Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz named on the bench.
The selection represented a nudge from Arteta for the Brazilian, as if to say he needed to show what he had.
However, Jesus endured a limited cameo and was substituted for Gyokeres after just 32 minutes.
The Brazilian did try, attempting to pierce the backline with forward darts and remaining active around the goal, but his display was marred by an early miss.
In the sixth minute, Ethan Nwaneri intercepted the ball and Eberechi Eze passed it to Jesus. With the goalkeeper out of his area, Jesus had an open goal to aim at but struck the goalframe.
The miss dented his confidence, and he never properly recovered before making way for Gyokeres, in a reflection of an underwhelming night.
Jesus has been earmarked for the door, and with only the Community Shield remaining before the season begins, time is running out for the forward.
Arteta and Fabregas reunite
The match saw Arteta and Fabregas, who once played alongside each other for Arsenal, on opposing touchlines.
The resemblance between the two managers was uncanny, with both men mirroring each other by crossing their arms and wearing beige trousers with dark-coloured short-sleeved tops.
Rumours previously suggested that Fabregas could one day succeed Arteta, though such a prospect is a long way off following Arsenal's title triumph last season.
After the match, Fabregas held a press conference that lasted over 10 minutes, with Arteta waiting outside for him to finish.
The length of his appearance suggested the former Spanish international had clearly missed the Emirates.
