Arsenal begins the pre-season with a tight victory over AC Milan in Singapore

Arsenal launched its pre-season campaign with a 1-0 victory against the Italian giants AC Milan at the Singapore National Stadium on Wednesday.

Manager Mikel Arteta started the match with several regulars, including Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Ben White.

Christian Norgaard, a new signature of Brentford, made his first appearance for the Gunners, while compatriots Kepa Arrizabalaga and Martin Zubimendi started on the bench.

In front of more than 22,800 fans, Arsenal, who has finished finalist in the last three consecutive seasons of the English Premier League, seemed more alive of the two parties in the first half, dominating possession but not managing to convert their chances.

Arteta then made six changes to the break, Arrizabalaga and Zubimenddi presented the faithful of Arsenal.

Their breakthrough intervened just seven minutes from the restart, while the English international Bukayo Saka clung to a crossing of defender Jakub Kiwior and rushed the ball into the furthest corner.

Saka, later named the man of the match, gave way to Max Dowman, 15 – a product from the Academy club – who impressed by his confidence and his flair.

Arsenal continued to put pressure for a second goal, but the goalkeeper of Milan’s replacement, Lorenzo Torriani, denied the head of Mikel Merino with a full backup in the 75th minute.

It was called again in the action seven minutes later, turning the effort near Leandro Trossard on the bar to keep the score in favor of Arsenal.

“I am very happy with the attitude and domination that we had shown throughout the game. But there are always things to improve”, “ Arteta said at the post-match press conference.

“I have to find this cohesion within the players, and they must continue to go to the next level. But we are heading in a good direction.”

The Londoners will face the next Premier League Newcastle team on Sunday.