Mikel Arteta said the performances of 15-year-olds Max Dowman and Marli Salmon were “incredible” as Arsenal beat AC Milan 1-0 in their opening pre-season game in Singapore.
Summer signings Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga also played their first match for their new club in front of supporters.
Bukayo Saka scored the only goal with a close-range finish from Jakub Kiwior’s excellent curled cross.
The Gunners dominated for the majority of the match, with Ben White and Saka linking up well down Arsenal’s right side.
Ethan Nwaneri – playing in central midfield – produced two standout moments of skill, one of which resulted in a shot from the edge of the area that went narrowly wide.
Manager Arteta handed some game time to the two 15-year-olds in the squad – forward Dowman and defender Salmon.
“It’s very good,” said Arteta about the youngsters on show. “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.
“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.”
It was agreed there would be a penalty shootout regardless of the result of the match and AC Milan won that 6-5.
Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, Dowman, Leandro Trossard and Josh Nichols scored their spot-kicks but Martin Odegaard, Reiss Nelson, Kiwior and Salmon missed theirs.
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