Pre-season starts with a sizzle

Singapore Slingers: Saka Strikes as Arsenal's Young Guns Dazzle in Pre-Season Opener

by The Loose Cannon

Arsenal are back in Singapore for the first time since we gave PSG a spanking in 2018, and this time it's AC Milan on the receiving end—sort of. Bukayo Saka slotted the only goal in open play as the Gunners kicked off their Asia Tour with a 1-0 win that was as stylish as it was sun-drenched.

Let's be honest, it might have been a friendly, but from the minute The Angel echoed around the National Stadium, this one had a bit of bite. And it wasn't just because Mikel Arteta's beard looked particularly serious.

A Tale of Two Teenagers and One Terracciano

The match kicked off with Saka doing what Saka does—terrorising defenders like they've just insulted his mum. But it was Ethan Nwaneri—yes, still not old enough to drive—who nearly opened the scoring with a cheeky swivel and a rasping left-footed strike that forced a cracking save from Pietro Terracciano. Not bad for a kid whose homework probably isn't due until September.

AC Milan's big threat in the first half? Alexis Saelemaekers doing his best to find row Z. Job done.

We kept the ball. We kept the pressure. We even kept Milan's attack in our back pocket. But no breakthrough—until Kiwior decided he fancied being a Polish Cafu.

Enter: Kiwior the Creator, Saka the Slayer

Second half, fresh legs, fresh faces, and one delicious cross from Jakub Kiwior. Swung into the far post like a homing missile, it bypassed everyone before falling perfectly for Saka to volley it home with the kind of composure that makes you wonder if he's even capable of a bad touch. 1-0. Arsenal. Business as usual.

Kids These Days

Then things got spicy in an adorable kind of way—on came 15-year-olds Max Dowman and Marli Salmon. Yes, 15. Most of us were still failing Geography tests at that age. Dowman didn't just look like he belonged—he nearly scored one after a nifty one-two with Ødegaard and a stinger just wide.

Meanwhile, Kepa Arrizabalaga—remember him?—had the most relaxing debut imaginable. Might as well have brought a chair.

Sudden Death: The Penalty Soap Opera

And because no Arsenal pre-season is complete without some late drama, we got the compulsory post-match penalty shootout. A few highlights:

• Ødegaard missed (contractually obliged).
• Kepa saved three in a row like he was playing Whack-a-Mole.
• Zubimendi and Merino scored.
• Dowman, Trossard, and Nichols all netted under pressure like seasoned pros.

Then Salmon stepped up with the score tied at 5-5… and missed. Heartbreaker. Comotto converted the winner for Milan and that was that: 6-5 to the Rossoneri in the shootout, but 1-0 to the Arsenal where it matters.

Final Whistle Verdict

✅ Saka back on the scoresheet

✅ New signings got their first taste of life in red and white

✅ Kids looking fearless

✅ No injuries

✅ Kepa didn't explode

All in all, not a bad day out for Arteta's army in Singapore. One goal. A lot of promise. And the sense that this summer's blend of youth and ambition could finally turn pre-season buzz into silverware come May. Or at least a better title charge than last time.

Up next: More goals, fewer missed pens, and maybe a cheeky transfer or two.

Loose Cannon signing off—for now.