Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has provided updates on the fitness of Jurrien Timber and Gabriel Magalhaes following the Gunners' 1-0 victory over AC Milan in Singapore.

The North London giants commenced their pre-season tour of Asia with a deserved win over the Italian giants, as a Bukayo Saka strike in the early stages of the second half made the difference.

The vast majority of Arteta's big-hitters saw the field at the National Stadium in Kallang, but neither Gabriel nor Timber were involved following recent fitness problems.

Gabriel did feature in a behind-closed-doors win over Watford over the weekend after battling back from hamstring surgery, while Timber underwent a minor ankle procedure towards the end of last season.

Speaking to the media in his post-match press conference, Arteta confirmed that Timber was not yet back in full training, while Gabriel had sustained a new minor blow which kept him out of the match.

Arteta provides Gabriel, Timber fitness latest after Milan win

"Jurrien is still not there, he's not fully trained yet with us, and Gabi had a little niggle the other day in training, and because of the fact that he's been out for so long as well, we have to manage him," Arteta said.

"I mean, we've been in Spain, different pitch, different conditions, go to the UK, different ones come here, and there are a lot of changes, so we have to minimise the risk with him."

However, Gabriel and Timber were not missed on the pitch as Arsenal comfortably kept Milan at arm's length, and they could have won by more had Rossoneri goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani not played a second-half blinder.

Among the Gunners to test the Milan defence was 15-year-old Max Dowman, who made his first senior appearance for the club in Kallang and caught the eye with some tricky footwork and unbridled confidence on the right wing.

Dowman also scored in the post-match penalty shootout, which Milan won 6-5 after fellow Hale End graduate and 15-year-old Marli Salmon blazed his spot kick over the bar, and Arteta had nothing but praise for the youngsters.

Arteta answers Dowman plan question after senior Arsenal debut

"Yes, I'm very happy with all the kids," the Spaniard added. "I think they are able to play at that level, with 15 years old, in my opinion, because of the environment, and the culture that is within the team.

"When somebody makes you feel so comfortable, so confident, straight away you can go and do it. Obviously it gives you the best chance, you have to have the qualities that this kid has."

Arsenal fans may be anticipating a Premier League debut for Dowman next season, but Arteta insisted that he had not made any firm plans for the playmaker yet, adding: "No, we don't know, with all the young kids at the end, they are in and around the team constantly, and they are really used to the dynamics, the demands, and especially raising the physical levels.

"The demands, and actually to be able to perform and impact the game at that level, it demands really, really high physical standards, and they are getting that, and that gives them another platform, and then they will have to earn it."

Arsenal now have three days to recuperate before returning to the National Stadium for an all-English affair with Premier League rivals Newcastle United on Sunday. 

Written by
Ben Knapton