Arsenal player ratings vs AC Milan - Zubimendi and Dowman impact, Kiwior quality and Saka goal

Arsenal recorded a 1-0 win in their first pre-season friendly of the summer against AC Milan. Mikel Arteta was able to name a very strong team for the game against the Rossoneri in Singapore and handed Christian Norgaard his full debut.

Martin Zubimendi started the game on the bench as a result, with fellow new arrival Kepa Arrizabalaga amongst the substitutes. Arsenal were bright in the first half of the contest and went close to the opener with a stunning turn and volley from Ethan Nwaneri.

Defender Riccardo Calafiori then saw a header cleared off the line in stoppage time as the Gunners almost got the goal their play deserved. Arteta made a total of six half-time changes as Kepa and Zubimendi were introduced from the bench.

READ MORE: Arsenal first half player ratings vs AC Milan - Nwaneri wows, Norgaard solid and White impact

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The Gunners were to open the scoring in the 53rd minute as Bukayo Saka converted Jakub Kiwior's sublime delivery from the left after getting the better of his marker at the back post. The second half saw further changes from Arteta, most notably the introduction of 15-year-old duo Marli Salmon and Max Dowman.

Fellow substitute Mikel Merino almost doubled the lead but his header was expertly saved by Lorenzo Torriani in the Milan goal, before the goalkeeper tipped a Leandro Trossard effort over late on. Both teams took part in a penalty shootout after the game which the Rossoneri won 6-5.

Here is how we rated the Arsenal players in the game at the National Stadium in Singapore:

Kepa Arrizabalaga

Introduced for his Arsenal debut at the break and had a comfortable first save to make from a Rafael Leao effort. Not really troubled in his 45 minutes. 6

Ben White

Put in a huge shift in the first half as he displayed his passing and ability to get forward. Strong again in his 20 minutes in the second half before making way. 7

William Saliba

Carried on his excellent defending from the first half to come across and expertly deny Ruben Loftus-Cheek just after the restart. 7

Jakub Kiwior

Replaced Riccardo Calafiori in defence at the break and immediately had a huge say on the game with a stunning left-footed delivery to the back post that Saka finished off. Once again did well in his playing time. 7

Myles Lewis-Skelly

Another to enter the fray at half-time and offered more than Oleksandr Zinchenko in his minutes. 6

Martin Odegaard

Inherited the captain's armband upon his entrance at the break and saw a drilled effort hit the side netting. Tried to make things happen for the Gunners in the final third. 6

Martin Zubimendi

Replaced Norgaard at the base of midfield and made an impact in his own box to deny Rafael Leao following a positive run. Used the ball well and more than did his bit defensively to help out his teammates. 7

Declan Rice

Played his part in midfield and was replaced on 65 minutes. 6

Bukayo Saka

Opened the scoring in the second half with a neat finish after some excellent movement to convert Kiwior's cross. Replaced just after the hour mark. 7

Kai Havertz

Performed well throughout as he used his strength and linked up play regularly. A lack of chances on goal, though. 7

Leandro Trossard

On at the break and showed glimpses of what he can do in the final third. Had a stinging drive tipped over in the closing minutes. 6

Substitutes

Mikel Merino (Declan Rice, 65)

Almost doubled the lead with a header in the final 20 minutes of the contest but Torriani got down well to deny him. 6

Max Dowman (Bukayo Saka, 65)

Had an effort that went wide of the target within minutes of coming on. Bright when on the ball and there's still plenty more to come from him after his debut. 7

Marli Salmon (William Saliba, 65)

Involved as soon as he came on up against Noah Okafor as he put himself about. The 15-year-old did very well at the back against experienced opposition. 7

Josh Nichols (Ben White, 65)

On at right-back in place of White and did well in his playing time. 6

Reiss Nelson (Kai Havertz, 79)

On for the closing minutes of the game and curled an effort wide of the target with five minutes to go. 5