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Arsenal Showcases New Talents in Victory Over Milan in Singapore

Singapore witnessed a special evening as English side Arsenal faced Italian giants AC Milan in a preseason friendly, which ended in a 1-0 win for the Londoners in front of 22,000 spectators.

The only goal of the match came through England international Bukayo Saka, who converted a precise cross from Polish defender Jakub Kiwior in the second half. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta started the game with a strong lineup that included Frenchman William Saliba, Declan Rice, and German midfielder Kai Havertz, who returned from a long injury layoff and played up front alongside Saka. At the start of the second half, Arteta introduced Norwegian captain Martin Ødegaard, new Spanish midfielder Martín Zubimendi, and promising youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly.

With Brazilian Gabriel sidelined due to injury, Italian Riccardo Calafiori returned to the starting lineup in central defense, delivering a solid performance as he looks to reclaim a regular spot with the Gunners. Meanwhile, Kiwior made an immediate impact after coming on, assisting the match-winning goal, potentially setting up a fierce competition between him and Calafiori in the upcoming season.

Notably, Arteta fielded three youth players in the second half, including two aged just 15 — Max Dowman, who showed great attacking promise with his movement and shots, and Marley Salmon, a tough central defender — in addition to Josh Nichols (18), who played at right-back.

Dowman stole the spotlight following his introduction, displaying maturity and flair that hint at a bright future at the Emirates. He was also given the opportunity to take part in a pre-arranged penalty shootout session after the match, where he confidently scored his spot-kick — giving his coach yet another reason to be optimistic about the academy’s future prospects.

Arteta offered special praise for the youngsters, stating that their performances are the result of long-term, structured work within the club. He highlighted that the presence of talents like Ethan Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly alongside the new faces reflects Arsenal’s philosophy of opening pathways for young talent to reach the first team.

Arteta said: “It’s amazing to see this number of young players performing at such a level against a top team like Milan. There’s great work going on in the academy, and having six graduates involved today is proof that the project is succeeding.”

As for Dowman in particular, the Spanish coach said he wasn’t surprised by the teenager’s performance, calling it a natural outcome of the positive environment he experiences within the senior squad.

He added: “I believe the main reason Max was able to perform at this level despite his young age is the supportive environment within the team. When a player feels trusted and comfortable, he can give his best.”

While praising Dowman’s technical abilities, Arteta emphasized the need for the youngster to improve his physical readiness if he truly wants to compete for a first-team spot.

He continued: “The talent is there, but competing in the Premier League demands extremely high physical standards. Max and all the youth players must work on this in the coming period.”

When asked about the possibility of giving Dowman more minutes next season, Arteta responded with caution: “We don’t know yet. Everything depends on his gradual development. We’re providing him the right environment and platform, but in the end, he must earn his place himself.”

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