Latest news with #National Stadium
CNA
6 days ago
- Sport
- CNA
Arsenal edge AC Milan 1-0 in Singapore pre-season opener
SINGAPORE: Arsenal began their pre-season campaign with a 1-0 win over Italian side AC Milan at the National Stadium in Singapore on Wednesday (July 23), with Bukayo Saka scoring the only goal in front of more than 22,800 fans. Manager Mikel Arteta fielded a strong starting lineup that included regulars Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Ben White. Christian Norgaard, a summer signing from Brentford, made his debut for the Gunners, while fellow arrivals Kepa Arrizabalaga and Martin Zubimendi were named on the bench. Arsenal controlled possession in the first half but failed to capitalise on their dominance. Arteta made six changes at the break, introducing Arrizabalaga and Zubimendi among others. The breakthrough came seven minutes into the second half when Saka converted a low cross from Jakub Kiwior, placing the ball into the far corner. The England international, later named Man of the Match, was substituted for 15-year-old academy product Max Dowman, who impressed with his poise and creativity. Arsenal pushed for a second goal, but Milan substitute goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani produced two key saves, denying a Mikel Merino header in the 75th minute and tipping Leandro Trossard's effort over the bar seven minutes later. "I'm very happy with the attitude and the domination we showed throughout the game. But there are always things to improve," Arteta said after the match. "I have to find that cohesion within the players, and they have to continue to step up to the next level. But we are heading in a good direction."
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Arsenal off to winning pre-season start in Singapore
Arsenal kicked off their pre-season campaign with a 1–0 win over Italian giants AC Milan at the National Stadium in Singapore on Wednesday. Manager Mikel Arteta started the match with several regulars, including Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Ben White. Christian Norgaard, a new signing from Brentford, made his first appearance for the Gunners, while fellow arrivals Kepa Arrizabalaga and Martin Zubimendi started on the bench. In front of more than 22,800 fans, Arsenal, who finished runner-up in the last three consecutive seasons in the English Premier League, looked the more lively of the two sides in the first half, dominating possession but failing to convert their chances. Arteta then made six changes at the break, with Arrizabalaga and Zubimendi introduced to the Arsenal faithful. Their breakthrough came just seven minutes into the restart, as England international Bukayo Saka latched onto a cross from defender Jakub Kiwior and slotted the ball home into the far corner. Saka, later named Man of the Match, made way for 15-year-old Max Dowman -- a product of the club academy -- who impressed with his confidence and flair. Arsenal continued to press for a second goal, but Milan's substitute goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani denied Mikel Merino's header with a full-stretch save in the 75th minute. He was called into action again seven minutes later, tipping Leandro Trossard's close-range effort over the bar to keep the scoreline in Arsenal's favour. "I'm very happy with the attitude and the domination we had shown throughout the game. But there are always things to improve," Arteta said at the post-match press conference. "I have to find that cohesion within the players, and they have to continue to step up to the next level. But we are heading in a good direction." The Londoners next take on fellow Premier League side Newcastle on Sunday. str/mba/jhe/sco
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
England's next World Cup star, the heir to William Saliba, and the man who will be fearing for his spot: FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED from Arsenal's 1-0 win over AC Milan
Arsenal kicked off their pre-season schedule with a 1-0 win over AC Milan at the National Stadium in Singapore. Bukayo Saka bundled home the only goal for Mikel Arteta 's side early in the second half, as the Gunners boss handed debuts to summer signings Christian Norgaard, Martin Zubimendi, and Kepa Arrizabalaga. Our chief football reporter, Craig Hope, was in attendance, and here are his FIVE big take-aways… Bukayo Saka scored the only goal as Arsenal beat AC Milan 1-0 in their pre-season opener Nwaneri makes World Cup pitch Ethan Nwaneri will go to the World Cup with England next summer. There you have it, a hot-take from the sauna of Singapore's National Stadium to kick off pre-season. I watched him last season and saw a boy, albeit a very talented one. Given he was 17, that is not a criticism, either. But what we saw here was a man. Nwaneri does not look 18 and does not play 18. If anything, his new shirt number, 22, would be a better guess of the player's age if not knowing so otherwise. He was used as a No.10 but caused havoc left, right and centrally. Indeed, Milan defender Strahinja Pavlovic would rather Nwaneri had not drifted right at one point in the first half. He thought he had the Arsenal youngster trapped against the touchline. It was Nwaneri setting the trap and, with a piece of skill akin to escapology, he made a statue of his opponent before fleeing into the penalty area. There was soon another moment of magic, a snap turn on the edge of the area that sent Samuele Ricci for the half-time noodles. His shot, a crisp half-volley, was turned behind by the Milan goalkeeper. Nwaneri made way at the break but we had seen enough. He is ready to start more for Arsenal (there were 11 in the Premier League last season) and he is ready to win elevation to the senior England squad. And yes, he'll go to the World Cup. Max Dowman shines The World Cup will come too soon for Max Dowman, the 15-year-old who made his Arsenal debut here. But while there is still a bit of heat in my pre-season take-aways, here is another - Dowman for Euro 2028! The winger didn't just catch one eye during the final half hour, you couldn't take either eye off him! Every time he got the ball he made something happen, including his first involvement, a dribble and shot that deserved a goal inside 60 seconds of his senior career. Dowman looks so accomplished, a thickset schoolboy with height and poise. It's a simple statement, but he looks like a footballer. A very good one, too. Remember the name. Arsenal's deep talent pool And while we're at it… is Marli Salmon really just 15 years old? Unaccustomed to Arsenal's squad numbers, I was looking all over the field for the second schoolboy who had entered midway through the second half. I couldn't find him. Why? That was because I'd looked straight past the two towering centre-backs, one of whom was Salmon. They're calling him the next William Saliba, but even the older man would doubt if he could execute the type of 60-yard cross-field ball that saw Salmon pick out Reiss Nelson. And then there was Josh Nichols, the 18-year-old right back who may be smaller but plays with a big heart. In short, Arsenal's talent pool looks to be running very deep right now. Kai Havertz fails to convince Did Kai Havertz do enough to send a message to incoming Viktor Gyokeres? Not really, no. The striker looked as if he'd bulked up and there was one meaty challenge to win the ball and start an attack, but that's not his job. When it came to goal threat, there was very little, despite Arsenal working some excellent positions. Havertz just does not convince, and he does not look convinced of himself as that goal-getting frontman. There were nine in the Premier League last season from 23 appearances. Not bad, but an upgrade is needed if Arsenal are to win the Premier League, which is why Gyokeres is arriving from Sporting and could join the squad here in Asia. The Swede will expect to be first choice, and Havertz will have to show far more goalmouth intent than this if he is to disappoint his new team-mate. Missed opportunity to attract fans Where were the fans? This was an entertaining enough contest and, as you can take from the above, I thoroughly enjoyed the performances of several individuals. But a crowd of 22,813 in a 55,000-capacity stadium was disappointing. The ticket prices - starting at around £70 and running a lot, lot higher - were the overriding reason, you feel. Why not make it more affordable and fill the stadium? The attendance should be slightly better when Arsenal face Newcastle here on Sunday, but it will not be sold out. It's a long way to come to play in front of a half-empty stadium.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Arsenal Confirmed XI vs AC Milan: Zubimendi Debut, Predicted Lineup and Confirmed Team News
Arsenal Set to Face AC Milan as Pre-Season Steps Up in Singapore New arrivals and familiar faces headline Gunners tour Arsenal begin their pre-season campaign this afternoon against AC Milan at the National Stadium in Singapore. The fixture marks the club's first outing of the summer, as Mikel Arteta runs the rule over his squad ahead of the new campaign. The Gunners have travelled with a 30-man squad for their Asia tour, though key striker Gabriel Jesus remains in London. The Brazilian continues his recovery from a knee operation that curtailed his previous campaign. New arrival Noni Madueke, signed from Chelsea for £52 million, is also absent after recent Club World Cup involvement. New signings ready for their first test Arteta may use this fixture to debut several fresh faces. Christian Norgaard, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Martin Zubimendi have all joined the touring party in Singapore. Zubimendi in particular has made an early impression. Photo IMAGO 'We are all very impressed with what we've seen in the last seven to ten days,' said Arteta. 'Once you have the player daily there and you see his character, his personality, his intelligence, and how much he's going to bring to the team. I'm very excited about it.' Zubimendi is tipped to start against AC Milan, potentially anchoring the midfield in a 4-3-3 setup that reflects Arteta's tactical ambitions for the new season. Key defenders return to fitness William Saliba and Gabriel are expected to line up together at centre-back after overcoming hamstring issues that saw both miss the run-in last season. Arteta confirmed their readiness this week, saying they are fit to feature. Youthful injection for the Gunners Arsenal have included several exciting prospects on tour. Among them are 15-year-olds Marli Salmon and Max Dowman. Goalkeepers Alexei Rojas-Fedorushchenko and Tommy Setford also travel, alongside Josh Nichols, Louie Copley, Ismeal Kabia and Andre Harriman-Annous. Though transfer rumours surround Albert Sambi Lokonga, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Reiss Nelson, all three remain part of the squad for now. Predicted Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly, Odegaard, Zubimendi, Merino, Saka, Havertz, Martinelli Match details: Wednesday 23 July, 12.30pm GMT, National Stadium, Singapore
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
YAHOO POLL: Do you neglect your health for your career?
Singaporean singing sensation JJ Lin shocked fans on 13 July when he revealed he had been diagnosed with a heart problem last year. The Mandopop star, who turned 44 in March, held back tears as he opened up to a crowd at Beijing's National Stadium about the health scare which now requires him to take medication every day. "The news really shocked me. I never thought that this would happen to me,' Lin said. "At that moment, I felt for the first time that the sands of time were slipping away fast. How long can I continue to sing for? This question suddenly became very real." Other polls YAHOO POLL: Is it fair to ban cyclists from pedestrian-only paths? YAHOO POLL: Are you excited to watch James Gunn's 'Superman' film? YAHOO POLL: Should universities rethink assessments to stay ahead in an AI world? Lin also added that fans have come from all over the world to see him perform in more than 100 concerts: "I think my efforts, the hard work of the team, and everything we want to present have lived up to your expectation." His comments became a trending topic on Chinese social media – with many fans expressing concern about his health. Lin's dedication to his craft and fans is nothing new. In 2024, the Singaporean famously needed an IV drip and an oxygen mask to help him battle through a fever during a concert in Chengdu, China. But neglecting personal health for the sake of a career or work is not something reserved for celebrities. Many people around the world practice self-neglect on a regular basis. However, experts warn that work-related stress has been linked to a higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation (or A-fib), which is the most common form of an abnormal heart rhythm. Lin's agency, replying to media queries on his health, said: "He has been seeing a doctor regularly and will arrange for more time to rest after the tour. He will take good care of his health after completing the work on hand." So, we want to know: Have you neglected your health for work? Related JJ Lin reveals heart condition at Beijing concert JJ Lin reveals struggle of fighting fever while on world tour in Chengdu, China; singer had to replenish glucose, go on oxygen therapy mid-concert Calls for change as six people die amid self-neglect Work-related stress linked to a higher risk of this common heart condition, study finds. 7 ways to protect your mental health on the job. 5 Important Signs You Should Consider Semi-Retirement
