Arsenal began their preseason trip to Asia on a high note, defeating AC Milan 1-0 in Singapore thanks to Bukayo Saka’s 53rd-minute strike.
Substitute Jakub Kiwior produced a superb cross to the far post, where Saka was waiting to bundle the ball home on a scorching night when the temperature was still 30 degrees Celsius at kickoff, with significant humidity despite the local evening start time.
In front of a crowd of 22,813 at the Singapore National Stadium, which can hold 55,000, Christian Nørgaard was Arsenal’s only summer signing to make the starting line-up. However, Ethan Nwaneri, who is set to sign a new four-year contract with an option for a fifth, shone brightest in the first half.
Bukayo Saka Leads Arsenal’s Standouts, Debuts & Late Drama
The 18-year-old first beat Strahinja Pavlovic with a brilliant piece of skill, then collected a pass from Norgaard, twisting away from Christian Pulisic before unleashing a ferocious 20-yard drive that Milan goalkeeper Pietro Terracciano pushed behind for a corner.
There was also some hopeful combination play down Arsenal’s right, with Ben White and Bukayo Saka linking up frequently, but it was Riccardo Calafiori who came closest to opening the scoring on the stroke of halftime, with his header saved off the line by Pavlovic.
At half-time, Arteta unveiled two new signings, Martín Zubimendi and Kepa Arrizabalaga, to join Martin Odegaard, Jakub Kiwior, Miles Lewis-Skelly, and Leandro Trossard.
After Kiwior and Saka combined to give Arsenal the lead, Arteta used the opportunity to make additional changes, with the Gunners’ two 15-year-olds, Max Dowman and Marli Salmon, making their senior debuts for the last 25 minutes, along with Josh Nichols and Mikel Merino.
After threatening a counter-attack in the first stanza, Milan faded as Arsenal took control. Merino almost added a second with a header in the 76th minute, which Terracciano saved excellently.
The match was followed by a pre-planned penalty shootout, which Milan won 6-5 on sudden death despite Kepa saving three spot penalties from Malick Thiaw, Mattia Liberali, and Noah Okafor.
Zubimendi, Merino, Dowman, Trossard, and Josh Nichols all scored, with Odegaard, Nelson, Kiwior, and Salmon missing.
Arsenal will face Newcastle in Singapore on Sunday, while Milan will play Liverpool in Hong Kong on Saturday.
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