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- Arsenal beat Milan in Singapore
- Saka with only goal
- Gunners still lack threat in attack
A slow-paced first half went by without much in way of goal-mouth action, with Riccardo Calafiori’s looping header from a corner which was cleared off the line the closest either side came to a goal during the opening 45 minutes. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli both had speculative shots blocked, while Ethan Nwaneri’s fierce drive from distance was palmed away by goalkeeper Pietro Terracciano.
Shortly after the break, Arsenal broke the deadlock. A deep cross from centre-back Jakub Kiwior found Saka at the back post, where he ghosted in to bundle the ball over the line and put his side ahead.
Late in the day, Mikel Merino brought a tremendous save out of substitute stopper Lorenzo Torriani, who scampered low to his left to push away the Spaniard’s header and keep Milan within touching distance. This was shortly followed by a deflected effort from Reiss Nelson, which whistled narrowly past the far post, but the north Londoners’ need for another attacker like Viktor Gyokeres was evident throughout.
Though Arsenal were 1-0 victors inside 90 minutes, there was still a penalty shootout to be completed, per the stipulations of the match in the grand scheme of Singapore’s Festival of Football. Martin Odegaard, Nelson and Kiwior had their spot kicks saved by Torriani, though Kepa Arrizabala kept out Lorenzo Colombo, Mattia Liberali and Noah Okafor. After 15-year-old Marli Salmon blazed over, Christian Comotto kept his nerve to ensure Milan at least won the shootout.
During his hour on the pitch, Saka ran the show for Arsenal. His team-mates regularly funnelled him the ball to lead attacks, and Milan played their part in throwing double teams at him despite this officially being labelled a ‘friendly’. Saka was rewarded for his efforts at both ends with a goal, which wasn’t the prettiest or most memorable in his collection but counted all the same.
An honourable mention goes to William Saliba, who twice managed to single-handedly thwart swift Milan counter attacks without touching the ball or engaging his man, shutting down Rafael Leao and Samuel Chukwueze.
Christian Norgaard was the only summer signing who was named in the Arsenal starting lineup, though this was not too much of an arduous test for the veteran Dane, who kept play ticking in central midfield.
At half-time, Mikel Arteta introduced Martin Zubimendi in place of Norgaard, with Gunners fans getting a first glimpse of their newest marquee midfielder. Zubimendi appeared far less physical than his الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز-experienced elder, though did attempt a few more lock-picking passes between the lines. Kepa was also brought on for the second half for first-choice goalkeeper David Raya. His action in the game was limited to simply saving a low shot from Rafael Leao before making three stops during the shootout.
Most notably, Max Dowman, who doesn’t turn 16 until New Year’s Eve, was given a runout by Arteta for the final half hour or so, filling in the considerable shoes of Saka on the right wing. Fellow 15-year-old Salmon was introduced at the same time, replacing Saliba, and 18-year-old right-back Josh Nichols came on for Ben White.
Dowman showed initiative to get on the ball seconds after coming on, twice cutting inside to work the angle for a shot, though was only able to let fly once and his effort trickled away. Salmon, who missed Arsenal’s final penalty in the shootout, was composed at the back despite his age, and though Nichols was a little overeager in the challenge, he did set pulses racing with a jink and dart down the right flank in the closing stages.
Arsenal will be back in action in Singapore on Sunday against Newcastle, before stopping over in Hong Kong to face north London rivals Tottenham. They will then conclude pre-season with friendlies at home to La Liga duo Villarreal and Athletic Club. They will be hoping to have Gyokeres available soon after reaching a broad agreement with Sporting CP over a fee.
