Arsenal Edge AC Milan 1-0 in Singapore as Saka Strikes in Pre-Season Opener
Arsenal Start Pre-Season Strong with 1-0 Win Against AC Milan
You could almost feel the buzz in Singapore’s National Stadium as Arsenal faced AC Milan in their first pre-season friendly on July 23, 2025. This wasn’t just another warm-up match—it brought together one of England's hottest squads and an Italian giant itching to prove themselves ahead of the new campaign. The spotlight eventually settled on Bukayo Saka, who fired home the only goal of the night. But this match was about a lot more than just that single strike.
Mikel Arteta used the chance to mix things up. Arsenal’s newest signing, Christian Norgaard, lined up with Declan Rice at the heart of midfield, and young Ethan Nwaneri, only 18, was handed the keys to the creative engine. Nwaneri almost made it a dream night, unleashing a rocket from distance that Milan keeper Pietro Terracciano managed to tip away with some real acrobatics. Moments like that had fans nodding in approval—this was a taste of what Arsenal’s future could look like.
The first half saw Arsenal set up camp in Milan’s half. They controlled corners and free-kicks, and Riccardo Calafiori even thought he’d found the breakthrough, only for Strahinja Pavlovic to clear his header off the line at the last second. But Milan came ready to dig in, with Terracciano swatting away anything that came remotely close to his net. He gave way in the second half to Lorenzo Torriani, but the Italian back line still threw bodies in front of shots whenever Arsenal threatened.
Saka’s Moment and the Tactical Takeaways
The breakthrough finally arrived just after the interval. Jakub Kiwior burst down the flank and cut in a low cross. The Milan defenders scrambled, but Bukayo Saka was a half-step quicker, rifling home from close range in the 53rd minute. It was a classic Saka finish—instinctive, clean, and ice-cold under pressure. Even with Milan packing their defensive third, he managed to find that fraction of space and punish them.
Milan weren’t just spectators, though. They pressed upfield in short bursts, and their young forwards tried their luck whenever the opportunity arose. But Arsenal’s defensive organization, marshaled by Gabriel and William Saliba, rarely wavered. Newcomer Norgaard didn’t take long to settle, offering crunching tackles and keeping things tidy alongside Rice.
The biggest storyline for Arsenal wasn’t just the win. The way their set-pieces looked dangerous, the steady mix of youth and experience, and the sharpness from players like Saka showed that Arteta’s men aren’t planning to ease into the new season. For Milan, the positives came from their ability to absorb wave after wave of pressure and keep the margin respectable under some tough conditions. Both sides will be looking to tweak and improve, but nobody left the stadium feeling like this was a dull affair.
With the new season looming, fans now get a clearer picture of how Arsenal and Milan stack up in the early days of their pre-season journey. If this match is anything to go by, expect more fireworks as these teams build up to August.