Arsenal are in action for the first time in pre-season this afternoon as they take on Italian giants AC Milan in Singapore. It has become a tradition for the Gunners to travel overseas in preparation for a new campaign, and this year they return to the Far East for a three-match tour.
For Mikel Arteta, it is the start of his sixth full season in charge and he will be looking to deliver a Premier League title – among other trophies – following three successive second-placed finishes. The Spaniard has been heavily backed in the summer transfer window so far with four new arrivals and two more on the way in Viktor Gyokeres and Cristhian Mosquera.
Noni Madueke has not made the trip due to being owed time off following his exploits at the Club World Cup. However, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard are all involved at the National Stadium. Follow all the build-up, action and reaction with Standard Sport’s dedicated LIVE blog below, including expert analysis from Simon Collings!
7mins: Martinelli is tripped by Saelemakers high on the left flank. He goes down hard and looks to be in some discomfort, but will carry on after adjusting his shoelaces. Corner to the Gunners.
6mins: Norgaard wins the ball high and finds Havertz, who looks to play Saka in behind, but Terraciano is quick off his line to prevent a shot. End to end stuff in Singapore!
5mins: Rice looses Arsenal’s first shot of the season, firing well over from the edge of the area.
4mins: Rice finds White in the right channel, who in turn finds Saka. He cannot find a way through the Milan block, though, and recycles to Norgaard.
3mins: Milan come forward for the first time and Leao shoots from the edge of the area, but Calafiori is there to block his effort.
2mins: Calafiori seeing a lot of the ball in the opening stages. He is facing a big campaign after missing so much of last season through injury.
1min: Arsenal kick off and immediately default to a slow build-up. Norgaard is quick to take his first touches as a Gunner.
A couple of minutes behind schedule, Arsenal vs AC Milan is underway!
Both sides are in their away strips today, the Londoners in dark blue and the Italians in white with red trim.
The squads are out at the National Stadium. Kick-off is now imminent!
Seems to be a sympathetic crowd for Arsenal in Singapore.
The home faithful, now singing ‘North London Forever’, have managed to get a couple of crowd-surfers out! Great effort.
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