Arsenal Begin Pre-Season with 1–0 Win Over AC Milan in Singapore
Arsenal started their 2025 pre-season campaign on a positive note, securing a 1–0 victory over AC Milan at the National Stadium in Singapore. Bukayo Saka scored the only goal of the match early in the second half, finishing from close range after a cross from Jakub Kiwior. It was a confident performance from Mikel Arteta’s side, who dominated both possession and chances throughout the 90 minutes.
The match also featured first appearances for new signings Christian Nørgaard, Martín Zubimendi, and Kepa Arrizabalaga, all of whom impressed with their composure and sharpness. Arsenal created 23 shots to Milan’s three and recorded a much higher expected goals (xG) total of 1.83 compared to the Italian side’s 0.21.
15-Year-Olds Make First-Team Debuts
In one of the standout moments of the night, Arteta introduced two 15-year-olds from the Arsenal academy. Max Dowman, a forward still a year away from his GCSEs, and Marli Salmon, a young defender, both came off the bench in the second half. Dowman even came close to scoring late on, while Salmon slotted into the backline with confidence beyond his years.
Rice and Havertz Clip Sparks Fan Speculation
During the first half, a brief moment between Declan Rice and Kai Havertz caught fans’ attention. The pair appeared to be in a disagreement, with Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, and Ben White standing nearby, looking just as puzzled as supporters watching at home. While it’s unclear what was said, the footage has sparked plenty of speculation online.
Some fans believe it was just a heated moment during play; others suspect underlying tension. Either way, the video has gone viral, and many are eager to see how Arteta manages the situation moving forward.
Watch the video below and judge for yourself.
Penalty Shootout Drama
Although Arsenal won the match, a pre-arranged penalty shootout followed full-time. The shootout went to sudden death, and despite three saves from Kepa, Milan came out on top, winning 6–5. Arsenal’s players were later seen lifting a pre-season trophy, leaving some fans confused given the penalty result.
