Arsenal vs Milan Preseason Match Summary
Arsenal began their 2025 Asia Tour with a hard-fought 1-0 win over AC Milan in Singapore. The only goal of the game came from Bukayo Saka early in the second half after an impressive assist by Jakub Kiwior.
Playing in front of over 22,000 fans at the National Stadium, the Gunners showcased a mix of senior stars, new signings, and exciting youth talent in a performance that will give Mikel Arteta plenty of positives ahead of the new season.
First Half: Arsenal Dominate but Fail to Break Through
Arsenal started brightly, with Bukayo Saka and Ben White combining well down the right flank. The standout performer in the first half was 18-year-old Ethan Nwaneri. He nearly opened the scoring after turning past Christian Pulisic and firing a low left-footed strike, which forced a strong save from Milan goalkeeper Pietro Terracciano.
Despite dominating possession and territory, Arsenal couldn’t convert their chances into goals. Riccardo Calafiori came close with a looping header in stoppage time, but it was cleared off the line by Milan defender Strahinja Pavlovic.
Second Half: Saka Finishes a Brilliant Kiwior Cross
After half-time, Mikel Arteta introduced several new faces, including Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Odegaard, Jakub Kiwior, and Leandro Trossard.
The breakthrough came in the 53rd minute. Kiwior delivered a dangerous cross into the box, which Saka met at the far post and finished calmly with his left foot into the ground, giving Arsenal a well-deserved lead.
Arsenal continued to control the game, with Mikel Merino, Reiss Nelson, and Trossard all going close to doubling the lead. However, Terracciano remained strong in goal for Milan, keeping the scoreline at 1-0.
Youth Stars Make Their Mark
In the final 25 minutes, Arteta handed senior debuts to two 15-year-old prospects, Max Dowman and Marli Salmon. Dowman showed flashes of brilliance on the right wing, combining well with Odegaard and coming close to scoring with a curling effort just wide.
The inclusion of Dowman and Salmon underlined Arsenal’s commitment to youth development and gave fans a glimpse of the future.
Penalty Shootout: Milan Win 6-5 in Sudden Death
Although the match ended 1-0, a pre-arranged penalty shootout followed. Kepa Arrizabalaga made three excellent saves during the shootout, but Milan eventually triumphed 6-5 after Marli Salmon missed in sudden death.
Arsenal Penalty Takers:
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Scored: Zubimendi, Merino, Dowman, Trossard, Nichols
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Missed: Odegaard (saved), Nelson (saved), Kiwior (saved), Salmon (missed)
Kepa saved penalties from Thiaw, Liberali, and Okafor, making an impressive debut between the posts.
Top Performers from Arsenal vs Milan
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Bukayo Saka – Match-winning goal and constant threat on the wing
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Ethan Nwaneri – Energetic and creative performance in midfield
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Jakub Kiwior – Provided the assist and solid defensive work
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Kepa Arrizabalaga – Three penalty saves in shootout
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Max Dowman – Promising debut with confidence and skill
What’s Next for Arsenal
Arsenal will remain in Singapore for their second preseason match, where they face Premier League rivals Newcastle United on Sunday, July 27 at 7:30 pm local time. After that, they travel to Hong Kong to take on Tottenham Hotspur on July 31.
The Gunners will then return to London for home friendlies against Villarreal and Athletic Club before opening the 2025/26 Premier League season with a blockbuster clash against Manchester United.
Conclusion: Arsenal vs Milan Result Reflects Depth and Potential
Arsenal’s 1-0 win over AC Milan in this preseason opener was a showcase of their growing depth, summer signings, and future talent. With standout performances from both experienced players and emerging stars, the Gunners look ready for a competitive season ahead.