Arsenal 1-0 AC Milan: Saka fires Gunners to pre-season win | OneFootball

Arsenal kick start their pre-season with a 1-0 win against AC Milan at the National Stadium in Singapore on Wednesday night.

The first half saw the Gunners create several good chances to take the lead, but they were unable to break through the Milan defence, with the sides going into the break goalless.

Bukayo Saka opened the scoring in the second half for Mikel Arteta’s side, netting Arsenal’s first goal of pre-season.

The London side saw out the rest of the half and secured their first win of the summer, showing positive signs as they prepare for the upcoming campaign.

As it happened

The Gunners made a good start as Declan Rice had the first chance of the match, firing over the bar, before Kai Havertz and Saka linked up well in the box to create another opportunity, but the winger couldn’t get his shot away.

Arsenal continued to build momentum as they searched for the opener, with Ethan Nwaneri standing out. The youngster produced the first clear-cut chance of the game, turning just outside the box before his shot was tipped away by Pietro Terracciano.

AC Milan looked to hit the Gunners on the counter whenever they could but struggled to get out of their own half in the opening 30 minutes, with Rafael Leão looking sharp whenever he was on the ball.

Mikel Arteta’s side finished the first half strongly, creating multiple chances but unable to seriously test Terracciano as the game went into the interval all square.

Both teams made changes at halftime to freshen up their squads, with Martin Zubimendi making his first start for the Gunners.

Saka finally made the breakthrough eight minutes into the second half for Arsenal. Substitute Jakub Kiwior played a beautifully weighted ball to the back post, where the English international got on the end of it, sending Terracciano the wrong way to open the scoring.

Further changes were made by both teams, with two fifteen-year-olds, Max Dowman and Marli Salmon, making their senior debuts for Arsenal.

Dowman looked eager to make an impact straight away, driving forward and creating a good chance just outside the box, but his shot went past the far post.

Leão remained Milan’s most dangerous threat, testing new Gunners goalkeeper Kepa in the 68th minute after driving towards the box, but Kepa made a comfortable save.

The Premier League side continued to threaten in search of a second goal, with substitute Leandro Trossard forcing a save from range as his effort was tipped over the bar.

Mikel Arteta’s side saw out the remainder of the game to claim their first win of the pre-season tour, with valuable minutes under the belts of every player as preparations continue for the new campaign.

Arsenal will continue their pre-season tour with a game against Newcastle on Sunday in Singapore before heading to Hong Kong. Meanwhile, AC Milan face Liverpool in Hong Kong on Saturday as pre-season heats up.

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