Arsenal has commenced their 2025-26 preseason tour of Asia on a winning note, securing a 1-0 victory against Italian giants AC Milan at the National Stadium in Singapore on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. A decisive second-half strike from Bukayo Saka sealed the win for Mikel Arteta’s side, marking a positive start to their preparations for the upcoming season.
The match, held in Singapore’s National Stadium, saw both teams utilize the friendly encounter to integrate new signings and test various tactical setups. Arsenal, fresh off a second-place finish in the Premier League last season with 74 points, demonstrated their intent early on, while AC Milan, who finished eighth in Serie A with 63 points, looked to build cohesion under returning manager Massimiliano Allegri.
The first half was an intense affair, with both sides creating opportunities. Arsenal showcased their attacking prowess, with Declan Rice and Ethan Nwaneri taking early shots that tested Milan’s goalkeeper, Terracciano. Milan also had their moments, with Rafael Leão and Christian Pulisic attempting to break through Arsenal’s defense. Despite the efforts, the teams went into the break goalless, with the score tied 0-0. VAVEL noted Arsenal’s dominance in possession and attacking efforts throughout the initial period.
The breakthrough came early in the second half, in the 53rd minute. Following a well-worked play, Leandro Trossard delivered a precise pass to Jakub Kiwior, who then crossed the ball into the six-yard box. Bukayo Saka was perfectly positioned to meet the cross with a first-time strike, sending the ball into the right corner and opening the scoring for Arsenal. This goal proved to be the difference-maker in the contest. ESPN and NBC Sports highlighted the quality of Saka’s finish and the build-up play.
Arsenal maintained significant control throughout the game, reflected in the match statistics. They commanded 56.4% of possession and launched a remarkable 23 shot attempts, with 9 of those on target. In contrast, AC Milan managed only 3 shot attempts, with just 1 on target. Milan’s goalkeeper was kept busy, making 8 saves, while Arsenal’s goalkeepers made 1 save. These figures underscore Arsenal’s attacking dominance and Milan’s defensive resilience despite the pressure. (ESPN)
Both managers made extensive changes throughout the match, typical for a preseason friendly. Arsenal’s starting XI included David Raya, Ben White, William Saliba, Riccardo Calafiori, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Declan Rice, Christian Nørgaard, Ethan Nwaneri, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Kai Havertz. New signing Christian Nørgaard made his debut from the start, while Kepa Arrizabalaga and Martín Zubimendi were introduced in the second half, also making their first appearances for the Gunners. For AC Milan, their starting lineup featured Terracciano, Pavlovic, Thiaw, Tomori, Bartesaghi, Musah, Ricci, Loftus-Cheek, Saelemaekers, Leao, and Christian Pulisic, with USMNT forward Pulisic playing the first half and Yunus Musah featuring for 79 minutes. (NBC Sports, ESPN)
Historically, this was the ninth encounter between the two clubs, but their first friendly match. Arsenal now holds a superior head-to-head record with five wins, compared to Milan’s two, alongside two draws. (VAVEL)
Arsenal’s preseason tour continues in the Far East with upcoming matches against domestic rivals Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur. AC Milan, meanwhile, will face Liverpool next, followed by matches against Perth Glory, Leeds United, and Chelsea as they continue their own preparations for the 2025-26 season. (Sports Illustrated)
