Starting as they mean to go on in pre-season, Arsenal got the better of Serie A powerhouses AC Milan 1-0 at the National Stadium in Singapore on Wednesday.

Bukayo Saka's goal early in the second half settled the score between the two sides, although Massimiliano Allegri's men claimed a consolation penalty shootout win after the full-time whistle.

However, the Arsenal contingent in the crowd were still the ones celebrating at the end of the 90 minutes, a 90 minutes in which old faces, fresh arrivals and new blood took their opportunities under Mikel Arteta.

Here, Sports Mole looks at what we have learned from the Gunners' 1-0 triumph over the seven-time European champions.

Arsenal 1-0 Milan: Who needs Eze when you have Ethan?

It would have been foolish to expect a blockbuster first half between two sides who have not taken to the field in two months, and so it proved during a less-than-sensational opening period, but there was one shining light clad in blue.

Starting on the right-hand side of the midfield triumvirate, the electric Ethan Nwaneri ran the Milan defence ragged during his short time on the pitch, providing the only real highlights of the first half with two sublime pieces of skill.

The 18-year-old seemingly had nowhere to go on the touchline when Strahijna Pavlovic put him under pressure, but one exquisite feint and flick later, he deceived the gigantic Serbian centre-back and was away down the byline.

That chance came to nothing, but he very nearly fashioned a sensational opener not long after, losing his man with a terrific touch and turn before letting fly from 20 yards with a half-volley, which Pietro Terracciano did well to keep out.

Nwaneri's dazzling first-half display came just days after he was reported to have agreed a new long-term contract with Arsenal, who are still thought to be considering the possibility of bringing in Eberechi Eze in the summer window.

However, today's performance suggests that Nwaneri could be a serious threat to Martin Odegaard's spot next season, and tying the Premier League's youngest-ever player down for the long-term is already looking a brilliant piece of business from Arsenal.

Arsenal 1-0 Milan: Dowman and Salmon defy ages in mature second-half displays

As the changes came thick and fast in the second half, it was inevitable that some of Arteta's young guns would be given the opportunity to impress, and the two youngest members of the camp were soon thrown into the action.

Fifteen-year-old duo Max Dowman and Marli Salmon were each given 30-minute run-outs, with the former taking Saka's spot on the right-hand side of the attack and Salmon deputising for William Saliba in defence; no small task for either man.

There has not been so much hype around a Hale End graduate for a long while as there is with Dowman, who showed exactly why he is the talk of the town with a composed and mature performance both on and off the ball.

The 2009-born starlet was only too happy to cut in from the right and get shots away, as well as winning a free kick in a good area and converting his penalty in the shootout.

In contrast, Salmon blazed his spot kick over the bar - his miss in sudden death proved to be the costly one - but the centre-back nevertheless caught the eye with one astounding long pass over the top to Reiss Nelson during the 90 minutes.

Whether either man makes his Premier League debut this season only time will tell, but neither looked overwhelmed by the occasion today, in spite of their incredibly tender ages.

Arsenal 1-0 Milan: Zubimendi slots in as Kepa shines in shootout

Unsurprisingly, all three signings who made the trip to Singapore with the rest of the squad earned some minutes on Wednesday, as the experienced Christian Norgaard began at the base of the midfield before Martin Zubimendi and Kepa Arrizabalaga came on in the second half.

There was nothing spectacular to shout about from Norgaard's display, as the Dane was guilty of conceding possession a few times, but the man who is expected to be his superior seamlessly slotted into the system.

Indeed, Zubimendi was a contender for one of the best outfield players in the second half, as he did the dirty work in the number six role while also fashioning a couple of chances for his teammates in the final third.

Meanwhile, Kepa had little to do during the second half himself, but the £5m man produced a fabulous three saves in the penalty shootout, including two in a row to take the 12-yard contest to sudden death.

Kepa is thought to have his eye on the number one jersey, and while it will be an incredibly tall order to steal it from David Raya, having an extremely motivated number two in their ranks will do Arsenal no harm at all.

The Gunners now have three days to rest before facing Newcastle United on Sunday, but until then, all eyes will be on whether Cristhian Mosquera and Viktor Gyokeres are integrated in time to make their debuts this weekend.

Written by
Ben Knapton