Bukayo Saka shines before wonderkid steals attention as Arsenal beat AC Milan - 5 talking points

Bukayo Saka scored Arsenal’s first goal of pre-season to deservedly edge past AC Milan in Singapore as Mikel Arteta gave minutes to all his available new signings along with handing out debuts to two schoolboys.

Noni Madueke may not yet be part of the squad having last week sealed his move from Chelsea, while Viktor Gyokeres’ arrival from Sporting Lisbon is awaiting confirmation.

But Arteta did hand first appearances to Christian Norgaard, from the start, with fellow new signings Martin Zubimendi and Kepa Arrizabalaga coming off the bench alongside 15-year-old academy starlets Max Dowman and Marli Salmon.

And Arsenal did not face a single shot on target in a game that they could easily have won by a greater margin - even if matches at the Singapore Festival of Football still see penalty shootouts take place regardless of the result at 90 minutes. Milan keeper Lorenzo Torriani and Kepa kept out three spot kicks as the shootout went to sudden death with Milan winning 6-5 after nine attempts each.

Here are the talking points as the Gunners sharpen their tools ahead of the new campaign.

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Captain Saka

The England winger was handed the armband here and looked Arsenal ’s most lively player during a predictably scrappy first half.

His link up play with Ben White, no doubt with a point to prove following a difficult time with injury last season, was notable from the outset.

But his deadlock breaker, eight minutes into the second period, arrived following a teasing, dipping cross from Jakub Kiwior on the opposite flank. The finish was well-taken with his left foot from six yards having just about stayed onside.

Saka has had a proper summer break that should benefit him greatly. Expect him to make a fast start to the campaign when some of those around other clubs shake off their summer fatigue.

Midfield balance

The most notable thing about Arteta’s set up and changes was the depth of options available in the heart of the pitch - a sign that bodes well during a long campaign because, even if injuries do strike, the back-up options appear so much stronger.

Christian Norgaard was put in from the start and appeared to play as a double pivot next to Declan Rice with Ethan Nwaneri handed permission to roam in front.

Then Martin Zubimendi came on for Norgaard and offered a little more going forward while Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino did what they do as Arsenal dominated the second period.

Martinelli’s shooting boots

Well, they remain on the shelf.

Arteta’s added options up front will only increase the pressure on the winger to turn all his promise, excitement and smooth build-up play into actual goals.

He threatened sporadically during the first half against Milan before being replaced by Leandro Trossard.

But if Martinelli maintains the sort of barren runs that had many fans tearing their hair out last season he could soon find himself falling down the pecking order.

Add regular goals and he could be an unstoppable force. So far, though, there appears no sign of that happening.

Dowman’s debut

So much has been written already about the 15-year-old Dowman, the hype on social media already unfair considering how much development is yet to come.

But over the next fortnight he has a chance to stake a claim for inclusion when the real stuff gets underway and this was a rather fine start.

He immediately got involved when being sprung from the bench with about 25 minutes remaining, embarking on a weaving run down the right before laying off a couple of tidy and confident passes.

There was certainly no sign of fear when he cut in and took a shot that deflected harmlessly wide and he converted his penalty smoothly. Dowman's aim now must be to thrive in further cameos on tour with the hope of being in consideration for cup fixtures later in the campaign.

Other bows

This was not a good day for those convinced that Arteta is reluctant to give youth its chance.

Dowman was joined by another 15-year-old in Marli Salmon, who came on at the same time for William Saliba, while Josh Nichols, 18, appeared at right back as White's replacement.

Sure, there is little chance that they will be part of the squad come August 17’s Premier League opener against Manchester United - but these are valuable moments for academy products, key staging posts in their development.

And not every Premier League manager would be as willing to put in players as young as Dowman and Salmon irrespective of the stage.

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