Marli Salmon moment sparks Jakub Kiwior reaction, Martin Zubimendi praise and Kepa’s classy touch

Arsenal started their pre-season campaign with a 1-0 win over AC Milan in Singapore on Wednesday. The Gunners were full value for their victory and could have won by more across the 90 minutes with the team having opportunities to add to Bukayo Saka’s strike.

Ethan Nwaneri, who was lively in his pitch time, was denied a sublime goal by AC Milan goalkeeper Pietro Terracciano in the first half and Riccardo Calafiori had a header cleared off the line in stoppage time. The breakthrough arrived eight minutes after the restart as Saka was on hand to convert at the back post following Jakub Kiwior’s pinpoint cross.

Substitutes Mikel Merino and Leandro Trossard went close to doubling the lead for Arsenal, who in truth were never really in danger of losing with their Italian opponents failing to trouble them in either half. The game did end with a penalty shootout which Massimiliano Allegri’s team won 6-5.

Here are some of the main talking points from the game at the National Stadium in Singapore:

Nwaneri dazzles

Nwaneri was the standout player in the opening 45 minutes on Wednesday evening. Lining up in a midfield three with his new No.22 shirt on his back, the teenager displayed why he can be such an integral player in Mikel Arteta’s plans this season.

The Hale End graduate was excellent in the first half and it was a sharp turn on the touchline from him that resulted in a chance for Ben White which the right-back flashed wide of the target. Moments later, Nwaneri had a go for himself with a lovely turn and volley on the swivel that forced Terracciano to push the ball wide of the goal. It would have been some strike from the Arsenal ace had it gone in.

The vast majority of his Arsenal appearances came on the right wing last season but Nwaneri now has added competition from Noni Madueke as well as star man Saka for a place in the team. He is certainly a contender for a midfield spot on this viewing and he could make it very difficult for Arteta if his performances continue to go from strength to strength.

Speaking after the game on Nwaneri’s performance, Arteta said: “Really good. After a few holidays, those kids come back from the summer and they look different. Already they look more mature, they have a better presence.

“Ethan certainly has been training really hard. He only had a couple of training sessions with us so for him to be able to play 45 minutes in that heat is a really positive things. The same with Marli [Salmon], the same with Josh [Nichols], I’m really happy with all of them.”

Debutants impress

Arsenal fans had the opportunity to see the club’s new signings in action for the very first time in Singapore. Many expected big-money signing Martin Zubimendi to be in from the off but it was fellow new arrival Christian Norgaard who got the nod at the base of Arsenal’s midfield to begin with.

The Dane got an early touch to the ball when Ruben Loftus-Cheek was in possession and that resulted in a big cheer from the home crowd. Norgaard may be known for the defensive side of his game but he demonstrated that he can also make things happen further forward after a delightful whipped cross almost picked out Gabriel Martinelli at the back post.

The 31-year-old used the ball well when in possession, notably completing 28 of his 32 passes, and he more than did his job defensively in a solid 45-minute showing. Norgaard was replaced at half-time by Zubimendi and he also showed why he can be a vital cog in the middle of the park.

Zubimendi is a very smart player and excellent on the ball and that was clear to see on his debut. He was accurate with 31 of his 35 passes, he made 11 passes into the final third and was accurate with both of his attempted long balls. The 26-year-old also won three of his five ground duels.

Midway through the second half, Zubimendi was applauded by Merino after doing well in his own box after nipping in to deny Rafael Leao after the Portuguese ace had troubled the Gunners with a positive run. Zubimendi did step up for Arsenal during the penalty shootout and calmly sent Lorenzo Torriani the wrong way from the spot with the coolest of penalties.

Kepa Arrizabalaga was a big figure for Arsenal in the shootout after saving three penalties. It was pretty much his first real involvement in the game as he had next to nothing to do in the second half with only Leao forcing him into action with a very tame effort.

The former Chelsea man always went over to hand the ball to Arsenal’s penalty takers during the shooting, clearly wanting to offer them encouragement. That was evident when the club’s youngsters made the walk from the halfway line, with the goalkeeper spotted waiting a period of time for Josh Nichols and giving him a slap on the back to wish him luck. The Arsenal full-back did go on to convert his penalty in style.

Youngsters take their chance

One of the main talking points from the game was the performances of Arsenal’s academy players. Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly are part of the first-team setup now after breakout seasons and they may soon be joined by some very talented youngsters on a regular basis.

Much has been made of Max Dowman after stepping up to first-team training at the tender age of 15. Arsenal have some talent on their hands and the teenager did catch the eye with a very positive performance on the pitch.

Nothing fazes Dowman and he did immediately have a shot that went wide of the target moments after coming on. He was to score his penalty in the shootout as he sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from 12 yards.

Fellow 15-year-old Marli Salmon also had an unofficial first-team debut to remember, although he did unfortunately miss his penalty which resulted in Milan prevailing 6-5 in the shootout Introduced in place of William Saliba and taking his place in central defence alongside Kiwior, Salmon made his presence felt as soon as he entered the fray as he went up against Noah Okafor and came out on top. Kiwior was very impressed by the teenager’s piece of play and he could be seen applauding him for his top work.

A clip of Salmon playing a long ball from the halfway line to Reiss Nelson on the left wing has been doing the rounds on social media since the full-time whistle. It was the perfect example of the confidence that Arteta and all at the club have instilled in the youngsters as many of a similar age in his position would no doubt prefer to play a simple ball and retain possession rather than taking a risk.

Nichols may not have dominated the headlines like Dowman and Salmon but he did well during his time with the tricky Leao down his side of the pitch. Opportunities are certainly going to be there for the academy players in pre-season and it is going to be about who grabs them with both hands.

“It’s very good. There is a lot of work in our academy of the coaches, people involved and it is a moment to give opportunities and reward them,” said Arteta after the match. “They certainly took their chance today in difficult circumstances against a very big team. Incredible how at 15 years old they can perform at that level.”

When specifically asked about Dowman, he said: “We don’t know with all the young kids. At the end they are in and around the team constantly and they getting used to the dynamics and the demands. And especially raising the physical levels because the demands they need to perform and impact at the level is really high physical standards. They are getting there and that gives them a good platform and they will have to earn it.”