Singapore National Stadium, – Arsenal kicked off their pre-season tour with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Italian giants AC Milan at the National Stadium in Singapore. A second-half strike from Bukayo Saka proved to be the difference in an encounter that saw both sides showcase glimpses of their potential for the upcoming season.
The match, played in humid conditions, marked the first pre-season fixture for both clubs and served as an important step in their preparations. While Arsenal ultimately secured the win in regular time, the teams also engaged in a post-match penalty shootout, which saw AC Milan emerge victorious 6-5.
From the outset, Mikel Arteta's Arsenal displayed their characteristic possession-based football, dominating large spells of the game. New signings Christian Norgaard, Martin Zubimendi, and Kepa Arrizabalaga all made their non-competitive debuts for the Gunners, offering fans a first look at the fresh faces in the squad. Young talents also featured prominently, with 15-year-old Ethan Nwaneri coming close to scoring in the first half and fellow academy prospect Max Dowman making an impressive cameo.
Despite their dominance in possession and territory, Arsenal found it challenging to break down a well-organised AC Milan defense in the first half. Opportunities were created, but either missed the target or were thwarted by solid goalkeeping from Milan's Pietro Terracciano. The Rossoneri, under their new season's guidance, showed resilience and flashes of counter-attacking threat, though lacked the final incisiveness to trouble Arsenal's backline significantly.
The breakthrough for Arsenal arrived in the 53rd minute. A well-placed cross from Jakub Kiwior found Bukayo Saka at the far post, who calmly tucked the ball home to give the Gunners a deserved lead. The goal ignited the Arsenal attack, with Kai Havertz and Martin Ødegaard also coming close to extending their advantage.
AC Milan's goalkeeping provided some standout moments, particularly from substitute Lorenzo Torriani, who pulled off several crucial saves to deny Arsenal a wider margin of victory in the latter stages of the game. Despite the deficit, Milan continued to work hard, demonstrating their organisational prowess, even if their offensive output remained somewhat limited.
The post-match penalty shootout, a common feature in pre-season friendlies to give players practice from the spot, saw Milan exact a measure of revenge. After a series of well-taken penalties from both sides, Milan ultimately secured a 6-5 victory in the shootout, providing an additional layer of excitement for the Singaporean crowd.
Overall, the friendly served its purpose for both teams. Arsenal will be pleased with the clean sheet, the integration of new players, and the continued attacking threat of Bukayo Saka. AC Milan will take confidence from their defensive organisation and the performance of their goalkeepers, as they look to build attacking cohesion in their upcoming fixtures. Both clubs now continue their respective pre-season tours, with more challenging encounters awaiting them as they fine-tune their squads for the highly anticipated domestic and European campaigns.