On July 23, 2025, Arsenal FC launched their pre-season Asia Tour with a thrilling 1-0 victory over AC Milan at Singapore’s National Stadium, marking their first match in the city since 2018. The Arsenal vs. AC Milan 2025 friendly, part of the Singapore Festival of Football, showcased Mikel Arteta’s squad depth, new signings, and young talents like Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman. Despite a 6-5 penalty shootout loss in a pre-planned tiebreaker, Bukayo Saka’s 53rd-minute goal secured the win in regular time, setting a positive tone for Arsenal’s 2025/26 Premier League preparations. U.S. soccer fans, let’s dive into this electrifying clash, explore key moments, and see what’s next for the Gunners in this Arsenal vs. AC Milan 2025 showdown.
Match Recap: Saka Shines, Young Guns Impress
Played in sweltering 30°C heat with high humidity, the Arsenal vs. AC Milan 2025 match drew 22,813 fans to the 55,000-capacity National Stadium. Arsenal dominated possession (52.3%) and outshot Milan 18-2, with five shots on target compared to Milan’s zero, per ESPN stats. The game’s defining moment came in the 53rd minute when substitute Jakub Kiwior delivered a pinpoint cross to Saka, who bundled the ball home with a left-footed finish.espn.com
Ethan Nwaneri, an 18-year-old academy star set to sign a four-year contract, stole the show in the first half. His sublime skill outmaneuvered AC Milan’s Strahinja Pavlovic, and a 20-yard drive forced a save from Milan’s goalkeeper Pietro Terracciano. Arteta’s second-half substitutions showcased Arsenal’s youth, with 15-year-olds Max Dowman and Marli Salmon making non-competitive debuts. Dowman nearly scored after a darting run and a clever exchange with Martin Odegaard, while Mikel Merino’s 76th-minute header was denied by Terracciano’s heroics.espn.in
AC Milan, under new manager Max Allegri, struggled after a lackluster 2024/25 Serie A season, finishing eighth and missing European qualification. Despite fielding stars like Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic, Milan’s attack fizzled, with only Leao’s late run troubling Arsenal’s defense, thwarted by William Saliba’s composure. A pre-planned penalty shootout saw Milan edge Arsenal 6-5 in sudden death, with Kepa Arrizabalaga saving three spot-kicks (Malick Thiaw, Mattia Liberali, Noah Okafor), but misses from Odegaard, Reiss Nelson, Kiwior, and Salmon handed Milan the tiebreaker win.@Arsenalarsenal.com
Team Lineups and New Signings
Arsenal XI: Raya (Arrizabalaga 46); White (Nichols 66), Saliba (Salmon 66), Calafiori, Zinchenko (Lewis-Skelly 46); Norgaard (Zubimendi 46), Rice, Nwaneri (Odegaard 46); Saka (Dowman 66), Martinelli (Trossard 46), Havertz (Nelson 78).
Substitutes: Setford, Rojas-Fedorushchenko, Copley, Lokonga, Harriman-Annous.standard.co.uk
AC Milan XI: P. Terracciano; Pavlovic, Thiaw, Tomori, Bartesaghi; Ricci, Loftus-Cheek, Musah; Saelemaekers, Leao, Pulisic.
Substitutes: Torriani, Okafor, Chukwueze, F. Terracciano, Colombo, Bondo, Gabbia, Pittarella, Comotto, Dutu, Magni, Liberali.telegraph.co.ukArsenal debuted new signing Christian Norgaard in midfield, while Martin Zubimendi and Kepa Arrizabalaga came off the bench.
Noni Madueke, recently signed from Chelsea, missed the tour due to Club World Cup commitments. Milan’s lineup featured new signing Samuele Ricci and goalkeeper Pietro Terracciano, but the absence of Theo Hernandez (sold to Al Hilal) and Tijjani Reijnders weakened their squad.espn.in
Key Moments and Tactical Insights
Arteta’s focus on fitness and integration was evident, with Arsenal controlling the game through precise passing and high pressing. Nwaneri’s first-half flair and Saka’s clinical finish highlighted Arsenal’s attacking depth, while Saliba and Riccardo Calafiori anchored a solid defense. Milan’s counter-attacks, led by Leao, lacked precision, and their rebuilt squad under Allegri showed signs of transition. The penalty shootout, though inconsequential, gave young players like Dowman and Nichols valuable experience, despite Salmon’s miss.espn.com
Arteta praised Nwaneri and Dowman post-match, telling Footboom1, “Max [Dowman] showed he’s ready to compete at this level.” The match also marked Norgaard’s debut, with the former Brentford midfielder adding steel to Arsenal’s midfield alongside Declan Rice. Milan’s 20-year-old goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani impressed, denying Merino, Trossard, and Nelson, signaling potential for the 2025/26 season.footboom1.com
Historical Context and Rivalry
The Arsenal vs. AC Milan 2025 friendly was the first meeting since a 2022 Dubai friendly, with competitive clashes dating back to the 2017/18 Europa League (5-2 Arsenal aggregate win) and 2007/08 Champions League. Milan’s last victory over Arsenal came in 2012, but the Gunners hold a historical edge. This pre-season encounter, while low-stakes, offered fans a glimpse of Arsenal’s title-contending potential and Milan’s rebuilding phase under Allegri.standard.co.uk
What’s Next for Arsenal and AC Milan?
Arsenal’s Asia Tour continues with a match against Newcastle United on July 27, 2025, at the same Singapore venue, followed by Tottenham Hotspur in Hong Kong on July 31. They return to Emirates Stadium for friendlies against Villarreal (August 6) and Athletic Club (August 9) before the 2025/26 Premier League opener against Manchester United. Rumors of a potential Viktor Gyokeres signing add excitement for Gunners fans.arsenal.com
AC Milan face Liverpool in Hong Kong on July 26, followed by friendlies against Leeds United, Chelsea, and Perth Glory. After missing European football, Allegri is linked with signings like Pervis Estupinan and Dusan Vlahovic to bolster the squad for Serie A.sportsmole.co.uk
Conclusion
The unleashed Arsenal vs. AC Milan 2025 friendly showcased Arsenal’s depth and youth, with Saka’s goal and Nwaneri’s flair stealing the show in a 1-0 win. Despite Milan’s penalty shootout victory, the Gunners’ dominance signals a strong start to their Premier League preparations. For U.S. fans, this match highlights Arsenal’s title ambitions and Milan’s rebuilding journey. Stream the next games on Arsenal.com, follow @Arsenal on X for updates, and dive into our guide for more Arsenal vs. AC Milan 2025 insights. With Arteta’s squad firing, the Gunners are ready to chase silverware—don’t miss the action!
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