In an exciting pre-season clash in Singapore, Arsenal secured a 1-0 victory over AC Milan in their opening match. Mikel Arteta praised the performance of his young stars, including 15-year-olds Max Dowman and Marli Salmon, who impressed with their maturity on the pitch. The Gunners dominated the match, and their star player, Bukayo Saka, scored the only goal with a close-range finish following a brilliant curled cross from Jakub Kiwior.
The match also marked the debut of summer signings Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, and Kepa Arrizabalaga, who all played their first game in an Arsenal shirt. The team showed strong cohesion, with Ben White and Saka forming a dangerous partnership on the right side. Midfielder Ethan Nwaneri also produced two moments of skill, including a shot from outside the box that narrowly missed the target.
Despite the win, Arteta gave a special mention to his youngest players. Dowman and Salmon, both just 15 years old, were given valuable minutes on the pitch. Arteta expressed his admiration for their performances, stating that it was “incredible” to see such young talent playing against a top team like Milan. “At 15 years old, they can perform at that level,” Arteta said.
Following the match, a penalty shootout was held as part of the pre-season festivities, and AC Milan emerged victorious with a 6-5 win. Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, Dowman, Leandro Trossard, and Josh Nichols scored for Arsenal, while Martin Odegaard, Reiss Nelson, Kiwior, and Salmon missed their attempts.
The game highlighted the depth of Arsenal’s academy, with seven academy graduates featuring in the match. Fans were excited to see so many young talents involved, including Dowman, Salmon, Nwaneri, and Saka. Arteta praised the youngsters for their development and the supportive environment within the team, which has helped them thrive.
The game ended on a high note for the Gunners, as Arteta expressed his satisfaction with the young players’ progress and their ability to step up in high-pressure situations. As Arsenal looks ahead to the rest of their pre-season, the spotlight is on these emerging talents, especially with the upcoming Arsenal vs Milan matches.
With young players like Dowman and Salmon continuing to impress, the future looks bright for Arsenal, and fans are eager to see what’s next for these promising talents in the Arsenal squad.
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