Arsenal 1 – 0 AC Milan

Bukayo Saka’s strike in the second half brought Arsenal’s pre-season to a winning departure on AC Milan, which was more comfortable than the suggested 1-0 score.

Saka returned to Maison Jakub Kiwior, the crossing crossing to the point of a point of the stubborn defense of Milan, the two goalkeepers Pietro Terracciano and its replacement Lorenzo Torriani denying the artillerymen on several occasions.

During their first friend of the 2025/26 season, Mikel Arteta only named one of his new signatures in his opening alignment while Christian Norgaard associated Declan Rice at the base of his midfielder, with Ethan Nwaneri in the hole.

While Norgaard was both tidy as expected, it was the 18-year-old, having received a rare run-out in a central role, which took the game through the skin of the neck.

Nwaneri and Arsenal had struggled to win in the first stages, but shortly after having flayed Strahinja Pavlovic, the young man settled. He almost produced a spectacular opener when he stands on the rebound, only so that Terracciano denies his powerful effort with a solid backup.

A few moments before the break, Arsenal did not see an opportunity more routine, because Riccardo Calafiori saw a goals free from the line by Pavlovic while the Gunners provided their brand problems when turns.

A wave of changes at halftime brought to Martin Zubimendi to associate Rice, with Martin Odegaard who directs the midfielder in what could well prove the trio of first choice of Arteta against Manchester United the opening weekend of Premier League, live, live on Sky Sports.

But he was a player whose future seems to be far from the Emirates Stadium who did what would prove the winner of the match, while the Kiwior Cross Inswing proved to be a nightmare to defend and allowed Saka to steal a side walk and a foot.

Torriani maintained what Terracciano had started by jumping to his left to prevent a Mikel Mikel’s head while the domination of Arsenal continued, Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard also approached.

But perhaps the icing on the cake was the arrival and performance of the Max Dowman bench, 15, one of the most rated Academy of the London Colney academy in recent times.

His non -competitive beginnings almost brought a goal in a few minutes when he drew widely after a Mazy race, Arteta showed a lot to love the future in the short and long term on his side of the Arsenal before 2025/26.

Analysis: Many so that Arta to take pre-season opener

Ron Walker of Sky Sports:

“Mikel Arteta was not surprised by what he saw his Arsenal players in their first game for the new season, but he was encouraged.

“Christian Norgaard was all that was expected of the winner of the tenacious ball, and Martin Zubimendi, the only other new face in an external role, showed his Spanish course when he came after the break.

“There were early signs that the trio of midfielder from ZubiMendi, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard will have clicked since the departure when Arsenal had a second dominant period when the three were on the ground.

“Ethan Nwaneri’s performance in a central role was also impressive, and the combination game between Ben White and Bukayo Saka on the right will have been a particularly welcome show for the manager, who could not deploy his first choice on this flank anyone he would have liked last season.”