Arsenal defeated Italian powerhouse AC Milan 1-0 on Wednesday at Singapore’s National Stadium to begin their preseason campaign. Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, Ben White, and other regulars were among the players that manager Mikel Arteta started the game with. Newcomers Kepa Arrizabalaga and Martin Zubimendi started on the bench, while Christian Norgaard, a Brentford acquisition, made his debut for the Gunners.
More than 22,800 spectators watched as Arsenal, the English Premier League’s runners-up for the past three seasons, appeared the livelier of the two teams in the first half, controlling possession but not scoring.
Arrizabalaga and Zubimendi were then introduced to the Arsenal supporters as part of Arteta’s six substitutions at halftime. Seven minutes into the restart, England international Bukayo Saka scored their first goal after latching onto a cross from defender Jakub Kiwior and putting the ball into the far corner.
Saka, who was later named Man of the Match, gave way to Max Dowman, a 15-year-old who came through the club academy and impressed with his flair and confidence. In the 75th minute, Milan’s substitute goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani made a full-stretch save to deny Mikel Merino’s header as Arsenal persisted in their attack for a second goal.
Seven minutes later, he was called upon once more, tipping Leandro Trossard’s close-range attempt over the crossbar to maintain Arsenal’s lead.
“I’m very happy with the attitude and the domination we had shown throughout the game. But there are always things to improve,”, Arteta stated during the press conference held after the game. “I have to find that cohesion within the players, and they have to continue to step up to the next level. But we are heading in a good direction.”
On Sunday, the Londoners will play Newcastle, a team in the Premier League.
