Arsenal made a winning start to their 2025 pre-season tour of Asia as they defeated AC Milan 1-0 in Singapore.
This clash marked our first game back and it really did show, with neither side testing the respective goalkeepers early on. The Italians then posed a transitional threat as the half wore on while an effort from Riccardo Calafiori was cleared off the line just before half-time – that was as close as either club got to breaking the deadlock.
But fans did not need to wait much longer for the breakthrough as the Gunners scored just after the interval. Following patient work out wide, Jakub Kiwior whipped in a brilliant, first-time cross which found Bukayo Saka at close range, and his scuffed finish bounced past a helpless Pietro Terracciano in goal.
Two positives & two negatives as Arsenal beat AC Milan 1-0 in their first pre-season friendly of 2025/26.
Control was maintained in the second half and more could have been added to the scoreline; Mikel Merino, Reiss Nelson and Leandro Trossard all tested the Milan defence late on. A second goal was never found and, instead, the match simply petered out, with Arsenal holding on for a comfortable victory.
Even if it does not live long in the memory, here are two positives and two negatives from our win over the Rossoneri.
Positive #1: Right flank looks exciting

Ah, what a nice throwback to those heady 2023/24 days.
Injuries robbed Arsenal of that Ben White/Bukayo Saka link up in the last campaign but it resurfaced here to great effect.
They shared the pitch for just over an hour and demonstrated their fine mutual understanding, their interchanges, passes in behind (White) and trickery (Saka) causing huge issues for the Milan defence down that side.
It failed to a yield a goal, but their combined RHS work brought a fluidity which is often lacking in this Arsenal attack and the fact they could rekindle that spark, after serious injuries and a long time apart, should give Mikel Arteta lots of encouragement ahead of the new campaign.
More of the same in 2025/26 please!
Negative #1: Sluggish up front

As if any Arsenal fans needed a reminder of why Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres are important to our title prospects…
All the same frailties from last year were on display in Singapore (not that they were going to just go away): overhit, wayward crosses from good positions, a few mix-ups which caused our attacks to fall apart, and a repeated failure to get shots away when in front of goal.
Furthermore, the Gunners insisted on forcing AC Milan into a low-block as they racked up possession yet, once pinned back, they seemed bereft of ideas on how to break them down – contributing much to the dull nature of the game (that and the fact it was a friendly, I suppose).
This is nothing new, of course, and our signings might help to alleviate those struggles. However, fans will hope that it reminds KSE that our big offensive spend should not stop upon the arrival of Viktor Gyokeres; more is needed if we are to lift the title next May.
That Eberechi Eze release clause is worth another look…
Positive #2: Ethan Nwaneri is a star

Amid a somewhat dull encounter, the gem that is Ethan Nwaneri shone bright.
There is often a tendency to hype up young players and exaggerate the magnificence of their every move but, here, Nwaneri really did catch the eye.
The 18-year-old injected the sort of energy that only a talented, fearless youngster can bring and he always looked like making something happen. His stunning control from a Christian Norgaard pass set up an equally brilliant first-half strike that the AC Milan goalkeeper did well to parry out for a corner, and a goal would have marked a fitting reward for his fine, livewire performance.
No one need get carried away with a pre-season outing, but Nwaneri only reminded Arsenal fans of why his new contract is such a coup for the club and hopefully he will play a prominent role over the coming season.
Game time should be no problem…
Negative #2: Gabriel Martinelli disappoints

Speculation is rife that Arsenal want a new LW this summer but it might depend on the sale of one current winger: based on our first pre-season match (obviously not a worthy barometer) it looks as though it is advantage Leandro Trossard.
Perhaps that is harsh on Gabriel Martinelli – he seemed lively enough and, like everyone else, he is just getting minutes back in his legs after a long break. But his old shortcomings (e.g. the predictable, head-down dribble, poor decision-making and execution) came to the fore again on Wednesday and will likely plague him (again) in 2025/26.
Compare those troubles to the efforts of Trossard and Nelson: both players came off the bench and looked that bit sharper in possession, each moving with greater confidence than the Brazil forward and being unfortunate not to come away with a goal apiece.
Arsenal do not want to sell Martinelli and he is much loved among fans. However, there are several aspects to his game that must improve and something needs to be done about it right now; we will not win the Premier League with weak links in the first team.
I back him to improve.