Arsenal first half player ratings vs AC Milan - Nwaneri wows, Norgaard solid and White impact

It's all level at 0-0 at the half-time break in Arsenal's opening pre-season friendly against AC Milan. Taking practically his full squad to the Far East for their summer tour, Mikel Arteta was able to name a very strong team for the game against the Rossoneri in Singapore.

New signing Christian Norgaard was handed his very first start for the Gunners, with fellow summer addition Martin Zubimendi named on the bench. Despite playing in a behind-closed-doors game against Watford last weekend, Gabriel Magalhaes was not part of the matchday squad and instead Riccardo Calafiori got the nod to partner William Saliba. Jurrien Timber was also missing entirely after his recent injury.

It was Milan who had the first opportunity of the game with Rafael Leao seeing a shot blocked by Saliba. Arsenal created openings of their own but Declan Rice couldn't keep his shot down and Ben White flashed an effort well wide of the target.

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Ethan Nwaneri then called Pietro Terracciano into action with a stunning turn and volley that saw the goalkeeper push his drilled attempt wide of the post. The Gunners did trouble Milan at times with their combination play in the final third but unfortunately couldn't find the breakthrough as Calafiori saw a header cleared off the line in stoppage time.

Here is how we rated the Arsenal players in the first half at the National Stadium in Singapore:

David Raya

Next to nothing to do in the first half with Milan just not calling him into action. 6

Ben White

Created a chance with a lovely ball to play in Bukayo Saka and flashed an effort wide of the target after the ball had fallen kindly to him in the box. Got forward often. 7

William Saliba

A steady presence at the back as ever and blocked an early Leao effort as Milan pushed for an opener. Frustrated the Portuguese ace later in the first half with some good defending after the attacker looked destined to get a shot away on goal. 7

Riccardo Calafiori

Named at centre-back with Gabriel absent from the squad altogether and was good on the ball as he tried to progress play forward. Had a header cleared off the line in stoppage time. 6

Oleksandr Zinchenko

Named in the team ahead of Myles Lewis-Skelly but didn't offer much to trouble the England international. 5

Ethan Nwaneri

Named in the midfield three and got the crowd on their feet with a brilliant turn that bamboozled Strahinja Pavlovic. Moments later produced another quality moment and saw his volley pushed wide by an excellent save from Pietro Terracciano. Strong showing. 8

Christian Norgaard

Handed his debut at the base of Arsenal's midfield and got a good foot to the ball to deny Ruben Loftus-Cheek early on that received a big cheer from the crowd. Whipped in a fine delivery from the right that Alexis Saelemaekers dealt well with when Gabriel Martinelli was on his shoulder. 7

Declan Rice

Had Arsenal's first effort of the game but it unfortunately went high over the crossbar. Put in his usual shift in at the heart of midfield. 6

Bukayo Saka

Captained the Gunners in the first half in Singapore and caused issues with some really positive running at the Milan defence. 7

Kai Havertz

Appears to have bulked up ahead of the new season and troubled Milan at times with his strength and link-up play. 7

Gabriel Martinelli

Arsenal threatened more down the opposite side of the pitch and the Brazilian was limited at times. Unlucky to see Saelemaekers nip in before him after Norgaard put in such an inviting cross. 5