The Gunners began their pre-season tour in Singapore with a 1-0 win over AC Milan. The Gunners won the 90 minutes with a single goal scored by Bukayo Saka in the second half. With the 90 minutes full time, both teams participated in a penalty shootout after the game. In the penalty shoot-out, the Rossoneri won the shootout with a 6-5 scoreline. While the match provided entertainment to all the fans in the National Stadium in Singapore. The match showed some important insights for both Mikel Arteta’s squad and Massimiliano Allegri’s squad. As both Arsenal and AC Milan prepare for a new season of Premier League and Serie A football. The match saw many aspects being highlighted by both teams. While Arsenal were the team to create the chances in both halves. AC Milan were seen to struggle in attack with the ball in the match.
Strong youth presence in the match for the AC Milan vs Arsenal friendly:
One of the key takeaways from the match was that both teams were quick to roll out their new players onto the pitch. In the second half of the match, both teams rolled out their young players. While Ethan Nwaneri started the match, he was the first one to impress everyone in the field. In the second half, fifteen-year-old Max Downman and Marli Salmon made their senior appearances. Along with 18-year-old defender Joshua Williams, he also made his debut for the Gunners senior team. For the Rossoneri, the 20-year-old goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani impressed the most for their side. He made important saves for the side, especially in the penalty and the 2nd half of the game. As for debuts for the team, Mattia Liberali, Vittorio Magni, Matteo Duศu, and Christian Comotto played for the Rossoneri senior team for the first time.
New signings for both sides
During this pre-season match, both teams also debuted their new signings onto the pitch. For the Gunners, the new signing that debuted on the field included the likes of many players. New signings Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, and Christian Nรธrgaard were the ones who were seen on the pitch. With this new lot of players, Arsenal also made a debut with their 2025/26 away jersey for the season onto the pitch for the first time. After its release last Monday on the 21st of July,2025. As for the Rossoneri, their summer transfer window has been quite compared to the Gunners. But they debuted their signing, Samuele Ricci, and goalkeeper Pietro Terracciano as a starter in the match. The Rossoneri also debuted with the 2025/26 away kit of the season. With all these new signings for both teams, it seemed that players fit perfectly for their teams.
Key takeaways from the AC Milan vs Arsenal friendly:
Both team looked to try out new plans and techniques going into the match. But Arsenal that were constantly on the ball and find spaces to attack from either of the sides. Arsenal registered a total of 23 shots in the game, out of which 9 of them were on target. They maintained 57% possession and completed a total of 498 passes. But the statistics for AC Milan paint a different picture. As they were only able to register 3 shots out of those, only a single one was on target. They maintained 47% possession and completed a total of 389 passes, lagging in every bit of the game. Notably, the Rossoneri were not up to their full strength as they missed some of their key players who are expected to join a little later.
Looking forward:
Both teams will continue their pre-season friendlies before the league season starts. Arsenal will now face Premier League rivals Newcastle United at the same venue on Sunday. While AC Milan will face English champions Liverpool in Hong Kong. It is a perfect opportunity for both teams to try out all the plans and techniques in these games. So that they can bring the best out of their respective new squads.
As featured on GoonerNews.com
