FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED as Arsenal beat AC Milan 2-1 in the Dubai Super Cup

Arsenal sealed a 2-1 victory over Serie A giants AC Milan in a mid-season Dubai Super Cup friendly, as they prepare for a return to Premier League.

The Gunners are currently top of the Premier League as they enjoy a winter break for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Mikel Arteta has, however, taken his side off to Dubai for a training camp and some friendlies to ensure they are prepared and ready to continue their title charge when the action returns.

They sealed a 3-0 win over Lyon on the weekend and built on that with a 2-1 win over AC Milan thanks to goals from Martin Odegaard and Reiss Nelson.

It means they have gone unbeaten in the Cup competition as more of the club's World Cup stars slowly return to the squad at their middle east training camp.

Sportsmail takes a look at five things that we learned from Arsenal's latest friendly in the Dubai Super Cup.

ODEGAARD LOOKING SHARP

If you didn't realise already, captain Martin Odegaard is instrumental to Arsenal's success, and that showed even in the friendly against Milan.

The Norwegian has been superb so far this season for the Gunners and he is becoming a real attacking threat.

He scored a stunning free-kick to open the scoring in the 21st minute of the match, as he curled the ball above the wall, leaving Milan goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu rooted.

All eyes are on Arsenal continuing their brilliant start to the season and if they want to remain in the title race, they'll heavily depend on key players, including Odegaard - and the huge boost is that he looked extremely sharp.

LIGHT IN ATTACK WITHOUT GABRIEL JESUS

The thing perhaps most Gunners fans fear started to show and their title charge could be derailed, unless they can find a way to replace Gabriel Jesus in attack or Eddie Nketiah can step up.

Brazil forward Jesus has been the focal point of Arsenal's attack and their rise to the top of the Premier League table after his summer signing from Manchester City.

Arsenal will now be without their main striker with no real options to replace him other than youngster Nketiah.

Nketiah featured in attack once again against AC Milan, but didn't really have an impact, or even find space to have any real chances.

NELSON AND VIEIRA ARE READY TO STEP UP

The bright stars for Arsenal other than Odegaard were the likes of Reiss Nelson and Fabio Vieira, who both have very much been used sparingly so far this season.

Nelson got himself on the scoresheet in their 2-1 win over AC Milan and looked a handful when attacking. Delivered good crosses and corners throughout the match.

Much like Nelson, Vieira provided an attacking threat, and drove a lot of the Gunners forward play throughout the match.

The summer signing also set up Nelson for his deflected finish that made it 2-0 to Arsenal at the time.

KARL HEIN IS ONE TO WATCH

It was another strong 90 minute display from Arsenal's young goalkeeper Karl Hein, who has shown he could be one to watch in the future.

The 20-year-old made some important saves and dealt with a string of corners from AC Milan well in the first-half.

The Estonian also denied Brahim Diaz from the spot as Arsenal sealed yet another penalty shoot-out victory, as they beat Milan 4-3.

Hein's performance will no doubt put him in Arteta's thoughts long-term, but he still has bundles of work to do in order to push himself above Aaron Ramsdale and Matt Turner in the pecking order - both of whom have been away on international duty at the World Cup.

OPPORTUNITY WASTED FOR YOUNGSTERS

The mid-season break was seen as a great opportunity for Arsenal's youngsters to shine and impress the boss with so many of his star players unable due to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The Gunners fielded a strong side for the win over Milan, but they did roll the dice late on in the match by introducing a handful of youngsters.

AC Milan arguably clawed their way back into the contest and made it a nervy finish once Arsenal made changes, which is a worrying sign at first sight.

For some of the youngsters, it was perhaps a wasted opportunity, as they failed to make an impact and will remain right down the pecking order at the Emirates.