Arsenal player ratings vs AC Milan: Max Dowman catches the eye as Martin Zubimendi shows class | OneFootball

Ethan Nwaneri impresses and promising signs for Bukayo Saka in friendly win

Your matchday briefing on Arsenal, featuring team news and expert analysis from Simon Collings

Sign up

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Arsenal kicked off their pre-season tour of Asia by beating AC Milan 1-0 in Singapore.

Arsenal were worthy winners, keeping AC Milan at bay and denying the Italian any clear-cut chances.

Christian Norgaard, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Martin Zubimendi all made their debuts, while 15-year-olds Marli Salmon and Max Domwan came off the bench.

Simon Collings watched Arsenal in action...

David Raya 6

A comfortable evening’s work for the Spaniard, who had very little to do during his 45 minutes.

Ben White 7

Looks fully fit and much more like his old self. Got forward a few times and linked up well with Saka. Seems ready to fight Jurrien Timber for the right-back spot.

William Saliba 7

Cruised around with his usual ease. Such an unflappable player and barely put a foot wrong before coming off midway through the second half.

William Saliba looked good at the back

Getty Images

Riccardo Calafiori 6

Handed a rare start at centre-back and put in a solid display before coming off at half time. Will be intriguing to see if he gets more minutes there in pre-season.

Oleksandr Zinchenko 6

Faces an uncertain future, but was handed a start. Neat and tidy, tucking into midfield and getting involved as much as possible.

Ethan Nwaneri 7

One of Arsenal’s best players in the first half. The teenager looked sharp and went close to finding the net more than once.

Christian Norgaard 6

Grew into the game after a shaky start on his debut. Created a few chances and was overall steady at the base of midfield.

Declan Rice 6

Seemed to play a bit more deeper than usual, almost alongside Norgaard at times. No fireworks from free-kicks, but a good performance.

Bukayo Saka 8 | Star player

The best player on the pitch and the difference between the two sides. Scored the only goal of the game and combined well with White. A promising start to pre-season.

Bukao Saka scored the winner in Singapore

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Kai Havertz 6

As always, he linked the play well and worked tirelessly off the ball. Played more minutes than anyone else.

Gabriel Martinelli 5

Had one mazy run, which included a cheeky nutmeg, but the final ball was lacking at times, especially with a chance late on in the first half.

Substitutions

Martin Zubimendi (Norgaard 45’) 7

Bright and proactive on the ball. Tried to get Arsenal playing quick and forward more. A classy debut.

Martin Zubimendi made his first Arsenal appearance

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Martin Odegaard (Nwaneri 45’) 6

On at the break and went close with an effort that hit the side-netting. Merino almost scored from his corner, too.

Myles Lewis-Skelly (Zinchenko 45’) 7

Picked up where he left off last season. Created a good chance for Trossard with a defence-splitting pass.

Jakub Kiwior (Calafiori 45’) 7

Played the pass of the match as his ball picked out Saka to score the only goal of the game.

Leandro Trossard (Martinelli 45’) 7

Much more lively than Martinelli. Tested the goalkeeper with a great shot from range and finished the game up front.

Kepa Arrizabalaga (Raya 45’) 7

Like Raya, he had very little to do bar one tame shot from Rafael Leao. But impressed in the prearranged penalty shootout at the end of the game

Max Dowman (Saka 66’) 7

Remarkable to think he is only 15 years old. Left a few defenders for dead with his quick feet. Looks a real talent.

Max Dowman looked good when he came off the bench for his first senior appearance for Arsenal

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Marli Salmon (Saliba 66’) 7

Another 15-year-old that was handed his first taste of first-team football. Slotted in well alongside Kiwior and played some great long balls.

Mikel Merino (Rice 66’) 6

Denied a goal by a stunning save after he tested the Milan goalkeeper with a strong header from a corner.

Josh Nichols (White 66’) 6

Looked best when going forward and getting forward on the overlap.

Reiss Nelson (Havertz 79’) N/A

Subs not used: Setford, Rojas-Fedorushchenko, Copley, Lokonga, Kabia, Harriman-Annous