Saka’s Strike in Singapore: Arsenal Open Pre-season with 1–0 Win Over AC Milan
Arsenal kicked off their Asian pre-season tour with a narrow 1–0 win against AC Milan at the National Stadium. Bukayo Saka scored the decisive goal midway through the second half, assisted by a precise Jakub Kiwior cross in the 53rd minute.
Match Highlights
First Half: A slow, arm-wrestle encounter saw no goals, though Arsenal came close when Riccardo Calafiori had a header cleared off the line, and Ethan Nwaneri forced a smart save from Milan keeper Pietro Terracciano.
Second Half: Arsenal took control shortly after the break. A curling cross from Kiwior found Saka, who tapped home to break the deadlock.
Despite dominance, Arsenal couldn’t seal a second goal, though Mikel Merino and Reiss Nelson both tested Milan’s substitutes.
Penalty Shootout Drama
Following full time, the match featured a ceremonial shootout (part of the Festival of Football rules). Arsenal faltered, missing four of their first nine kicks, while debutant Kepa Arrizabalaga made three saves. AC Milan ultimately edged it 6–5 in sudden death.
Standout Performers
Man of the Match – Bukayo Saka: His goal, energy, and influence throughout the game underscored his importance, even under tight marking.
William Saliba played a crucial role in disrupting Milan’s counter-attacks, demonstrating excellent defensive awareness throughout the match.
New Signings Debut
Christian Nørgaard and Martin Zubimendi featured, with Nørgaard excelling in tackle success and positional play, and Zubimendi impressing with his range of passing. Kepa Arrizabalaga came on after the break, making several notable saves, especially in the shootout.
Youth Stars Shine
Manager Mikel Arteta handed debuts to several academy talents:
Marli Salmon (15) displayed calmness under pressure in defense and confidently stepped up to take part in the penalty shootout.
Marli Salmon (15): Showed composure in defense and even participated in the shootout. Josh Nichols (18) made a late appearance and caught the eye with his sharp, direct dribbling down the wing.
Big Picture & What’s Next
This pre-season showing underlined both Arsenal’s strengths and areas needing reinforcement:
Midfield Rebuild: Nørgaard’s physicality and Zubimendi’s passing hint at a reshaped base.
Striker Need: The team lacked a consistent goalscoring threat up front, highlighting the potential importance of Viktor Gyökeres ahead of the next tour matches.
Upcoming Fixtures
Arsenal’s Asian tour continues with:
Sunday: vs. Newcastle in Singapore
Then: Hong Kong showdown against Tottenham
Final Pre-season: Home matches vs. Villarreal and Athletic Club
Final Verdict:
A solid start to pre-season. Saka and Saliba stood out with strong performances, the new signings made solid first impressions, and the academy youngsters showed plenty of potential. Yet, Arsenal’s lack of firepower up front remains a concern—one that could be addressed with the addition of a proven striker soon.