Arsenal achieved a 1-0 victory over AC Milan during their pre-season tour of Asia, with Bukayo Saka scoring the only goal. The team saw significant contributions from young talents, especially 15-year-olds Max Dowman and Marli Salmon, who impressed Arteta. The manager highlighted the importance of physical readiness and the need for the youngsters to adapt to senior football’s demands. Additionally, defender Gabriel faced a setback in recovering from injury, missing out on the match along with several other players.
Mikel Arteta expressed pride in the club's young talents, emphasizing their ability to perform at high levels despite their young ages, stating, "When somebody makes you feel so comfortable and so confident straightaway, you can go and do it." He noted that having played against high-level opposition, the young players are gaining valuable experience and confidence. Arteta acknowledged that the demands of first-team football require significant physical preparation but believes the youngsters are making progress and could earn opportunities as they adapt to those requirements.
Arteta praised 15-year-olds Max Dowman and Marli Salmon for their impact in the match against AC Milan, suggesting they could be in consideration for first-team minutes if they continue to excel. He stated, "Very happy with all the kids… they are in and around the team constantly, and they [are] getting used to the dynamics and the demands." This reflects his commitment to integrating young players into the senior squad when they demonstrate readiness.
Collection
[
|
...
]