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Arsenal’s pre-season tour of Asia continued on its winning trajectory as the Gunners defeated Newcastle United 3-2 in a topsy-turvy game at the National Stadium in Singapore. Fans had hoped that they might see a debut for new centre-back Cristhian Mosquera, but he was in the stands alongside the most recent arrival Viktor Gyokeres, who was unveiled on the pitch before kick-off after his move from Sporting was made official yesterday.
On the pitch, Anthony Elanga put the Magpies ahead within six minutes with a scruffy finish, but Mikel Merino levelled with a cool effort into the corner. It was two in two minutes as Alex Murphy slashed Kai Havertz’s cross past his own goalkeeper, and the north Londoners went in the break 2-1 up.
They were pegged back by Jacob Murphy’s daisy-cutter in the second half, but 15-year-old Max Dowman showed his quality to win a penalty off Joelinton, which Martin Odegaard tucked away with ease. Two wins from two in Asia, and things are looking rosy for Arteta’s men ahead of the new season.
Arsenal vs Newcastle latest news
- Odegaard converts penalty
- Jacob Murphy nets leveller
- Murphy own goal turns game around
- Merino strokes home equaliser
- Elanga opens scoring
- Arsenal team news
- Newcastle team news
Sam Tabuteau reports
14:32 , Oli Gent15-year-old Max Dowman has proved the difference, winning the penalty that Martin Odegaard dispatched to earn Arsenal a deserved 3-2 win in Singapore. Two wins from two for the Gunners.
FT: Arsenal 3-2 Newcastle
14:27 , Oli GentThat’s it. Another win in pre-season for Arsenal. That’ll do nicely. Mosquera and Gyokeres to add to that, and the Gunners are looking good ahead of the new campaign.
Arsenal 3-2 Newcastle
14:23 , Oli Gent90+1 mins: Four added minutes.
Arsenal 3-2 Newcastle
14:22 , Oli Gent90 mins: Close! Pinball in the Arsenal area breaks for Harrison Ashby on the right, who’s unmarked. The right-back lashes one at Kepa, and the Spaniard has to save!
Arsenal 3-2 Newcastle
14:16 , Oli GentGoal! 83 mins: Odegaard makes no mistake from 12 yards, and dispatches past Ruddy.
Arsenal 2-2 Newcastle
14:15 , Oli Gent82 mins: Penalty! Max Dowman has been superb since coming on. The 15 year old shows great pace and takes the Brazilian into deep waters. Joelinton shoves him in the penalty area, and Dowman wins the spot kick.
Arsenal 2-2 Newcastle
14:11 , Oli Gent78 mins: More changes for Arsenal as Zubimendi, Trossard, Lewis-Skelly and White leave the field, with Christian Norgaard, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Andre Harriman-Annous, and Josh Nichols all on.
Arsenal 2-2 Newcastle
14:06 , Oli Gent76 mins: That’s Pope’s final contribution, as he’s replaced by John Ruddy, and Sean Neave comes on for Osula.
Arsenal 2-2 Newcastle
14:05 , Oli Gent75 mins: Odegaard has a pop from a long way out, and gets plenty behind the strike. It’s on target, and Nick Pope dives to left to keep it out. One for the cameras, but a good save nonetheless.
Sam Tabuteau reports
14:04 , Oli Gent74 mins: Max Dowman looks so self assured. The 15-year-old has been involved in everything since his introduction. Doesn't look at all out of place, as he tests Pope with a low effort after a pacey dart infield into the space that opens up ahead of him.
Arsenal 2-2 Newcastle
14:03 , Oli Gent72 mins: Sven Botman is coming off again, replaced by Harrison Ashby. That’s ominous for the injury-prone defender...
Arsenal 2-2 Newcastle
14:02 , Oli Gent70 mins: Declan Rice is on for Mikel Merino. Meanwhile, William Saliba is down in his own box after an awkward landing from an aerial challenge with Wiliam Osula.
Arsenal 2-2 Newcastle
14:00 , Oli Gent68 mins: Close! Newcastle come ever so close to a third, as Murphy escapes down the right and gets a cross in. Osula meets it in the middle, but he can only steer the effort wide of the target.
Arsenal 2-2 Newcastle
14:00 , Oli Gent67 mins: It’s certainly been an even game today, with both sides causing the other problems. Martinelli has now moved into the central striking role, and gets caught offside with a spinning run in behind.
Arsenal 2-2 Newcastle
13:54 , Oli Gent64 mins: Some changes for Arsenal. Kepa replaces Raya in goal, Max Dowman is on for Saka, and Gabriel Martinelli comes on for Kai Havertz, with Trossard going up top.
Sam Tabuteau reports
13:53 , Oli Gent62 mins: Just like that Newcastle are level, Jacob Murphy with a brilliant long range strike. Just as they did in the first-half, Newcastle strike first despite Arsenal being on top.
Arsenal 2-2 Newcastle
13:50 , Oli GentGoal! 59 mins: Newcastle are level, and it’s Jacob Murphy! The right winger works a yard of space on the edge of the area, and sends a low effort in towards the near post, and it sneaks in!
Arsenal 2-1 Newcastle
13:49 , Oli Gent58 mins: Close! Newcastle play their way into serious trouble as Joelinton is robbed in his own box. Trossard’s inswinger is in towards Saka at the far post, and the winger goes for the spectacular overhead, which Pope keeps out!
Arsenal 2-1 Newcastle
13:47 , Oli Gent55 mins: Havertz is holding his foot after a collision with Schar, and it looks as though he’s got a slight rip in his boot from the studs of the Swiss.
Arsenal 2-1 Newcastle
13:45 , Oli Gent53 mins: Offside! Havertz thinks he’s away down the left after he’s sent clear by Odegaard, but the flag is up.
Arsenal 2-1 Newcastle
13:43 , Oli Gent49 mins: Two changes for Arsenal, with Martin Odegaard and Jakub Kiwior on for Ethan Nwaneri and Riccardo Calafiori.
Arsenal 2-1 Newcastle
13:41 , Oli Gent47 mins: Changes for Newcastle at the break, with Jacob Murphy, Fabian Schar, Lewis Miley, and Sven Botman all on for Newcastle, as too are Tino Livramento, Emil Krafth, Harvey Barnes, Matt Targett, and Joelinton. Elanga, Lascelles, Guimaraes, Gordon, Alex Murphy, Willock, Trippier, and Burn are the ones to come off.
Kick off
13:38 , Oli Gent46 mins: We’re back underway.
Sam Tabuteau reports
13:25 , Oli GentIt's been a well contested and physical affair, with Arsenal turning the game around before half-time. Mikel Merino's physicality has helped the Gunners take charge.
HT: Arsenal 2-1 Newcastle
13:22 , Oli GentThere’s the interval, and Arsenal are good value for their lead, all things considered. It was a shaky start, but they’ve improved as the game as wore on. What will the second half hold?
Arsenal 2-1 Newcastle
13:18 , Oli Gent45+1 mins: Three added minutes.
Arsenal 2-1 Newcastle
13:18 , Oli Gent45 mins: Free kick, Newcastle. There’s a nasty tangle as Merino and Guimaraes fly into a 50-50 challenge. Both come out hurt, but the decision goes Newcastle’s way.
Arsenal 2-1 Newcastle
13:17 , Oli Gent44 mins: Free kick, Arsenal. Willock gives chase to a long ball forward, and Saliba comes across to defend it. The former Arsenal midfielder bundles the defender over, and the Gunners have a free kick.
Sam Tabuteau reports
13:12 , Oli Gent41 mins: Just like that, Arsenal have turned the game on its head. Two goals in as many minutes. The first goal is all about Merino, who wins back possession, exchanges passes with Havertz and finishes cooly. Havertz is involved again, sending a dangerous cross in that Murphy smashes into his own net. Wonder what Arteta said after that water break.
Arsenal 2-1 Newcastle
13:11 , Oli Gent38 mins: Arsenal are in their groove now after a sloppy start. They’re putting together some lovely patterns of play, and Zubimendi is getting plenty of touches in the middle of the park.
Arsenal 2-1 Newcastle
13:08 , Oli GentGoal! 35 mins: Arsenal are ahead already! They’ve turned the game on its head in quick-fire fashion. Arsenal take a quick free kick down the left, and Havertz breaks down the flank. He whips in a low cross, which Alex Murphy slices into his own net!
Arsenal 1-1 Newcastle
13:06 , Oli GentGoal! 33 mins: Arsenal are level, and it’s Mikel Merino! He picks his spot and places it to perfection in the corner. Elanga is robbed in his own half, and Merino is fed by Trossard, before Havertz lays it off to him. He strokes into the corner, and we’re back level.
Arsenal 0-1 Newcastle
13:02 , Oli Gent30 mins: Nwaneri takes charge of the free kick, but he overcooks it, and it goes over everyone’s heads.
Arsenal 0-1 Newcastle
13:02 , Oli Gent28 mins: A sore one for Zubimendi to deal with as Tonali clatters into him. Arsenal free kick, chance to get a routine going here, perhaps...
Arsenal 0-1 Newcastle
12:57 , Oli Gent24 mins: That’s loose again from Raya. Osula is doing really well to get on his case and close him down at some pace, and the Spaniard knocks it straight out of play.
Arsenal 0-1 Newcastle
12:52 , Oli Gent20 mins: Good save! Newcastle are showing their threat as Trippier darts into clear grass and Osula peels off into the right channel to create space in the middle. Guimaraes inhabits that, and he goes for the shot from the edge of the area, and Raya has to get down and push it behind!
Sam Tabuteau reports
12:50 , Oli Gent19 mins: It's been pretty sloppy from Arsenal at the back, Raya's miscued pass the latest example. Ironing those sort of mistakes out it is what pre-season is for.
Arsenal 0-1 Newcastle
12:48 , Oli Gent16 mins: Close! Arsenal are more front-footed now as Saka chases a punt over the top. Saka outdoes Burn for pace and gets to the byline. He looks for the cutback, but it ricochets out for the onrushing Ben White, who blasts over the top! Maybe placement would have been better than power.
Arsenal 0-1 Newcastle
12:45 , Oli Gent14 mins: Newcastle are looking to build on their early advantage, and Elanga is buzzing around and causing problems with his movement and pace. The ball breaks for Tonali in the box, but, stumbling, he can only produce a tame effort that Raya collects easily.
Arsenal 0-1 Newcastle
12:43 , Oli Gent11 mins: Close! Calafiori breaks into the box, turns, and Burn blocks his cross-shot. It comes out to Trossard who blasts one, but Burn is there again!
Arsenal 0-1 Newcastle
12:41 , Oli Gent9 mins: Close! Arsenal come forward, as Merino looks for a cross in towards Havertz, but his header is wayward.
Arsenal 0-1 Newcastle
12:40 , Oli GentGoal! 6 mins: Newcastle are ahead, and it’s from their first foray forward! Anthony Elanga nets his first for the club, and it’s worked well through the thirds. Tonali spreads it wide for Trippier, who finds the Italian, who had followed his pass. Elanga peels away and steers home with a scuffed finish!
Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle
12:36 , Oli Gent4 mins: It’s aimed at Saliba at the far stick, and the Frenchman looks to guide it across the box, but Guimaraes clears well.
Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle
12:35 , Oli Gent3 mins: Arsenal have started the better in the (extremely) early exchanges. and they force a corner down Bukayo Saka’s side. Alex Murphy can’t quite keep it in, and the Gunners have a chance to whip one in here.
Kick off!
12:30 , Oli Gent1 min: Off we go.
The players are out!
12:25 , Oli GentWe’re about to get underway at the National Stadium.
Sam Tabuteau reports
12:19 , Oli GentStrong lineup from Arsenal as they take on Newcastle in Singapore. Kai Havertz leads the line. He’ll be keen to impress, with Viktor Gyokeres waiting in the wings after completing his £63.5million move from Sporting CP yesterday.
No Mosquera!
12:14 , Oli GentAfter all that hype about a potential debut, this game comes a bit early for Cristhian Mosquera, who misses out completely.
It’s William Saliba and Riccardo Calafiori in the heart of the Arsenal defence, and David Raya is in net ahead of new deputy Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Martin Zubimendi does make his first start, with Christian Norgaard on the bench. Amongst the subs too, is captain Martin Odegaard, with Ethan Nwaneri preferred in the middle today alongside Mikel Merino.
Arsenal v Newcastle head-to-head
12:00 , Oli GentThese two sides played each other four times last term, with Newcastle winning three of those encounters. Two of those were semi-final legs of the League Cup, which the Magpies lifted at Wembley when they beat Liverpool.
Arsenal wins: 86
Newcastle wins: 72
Draws: 39
Newcastle line-up
11:45 , Oli GentConfirmed Newcastle XI: Pope; Trippier, Lascelles, Burn, A Murphy; Guimaraes, Tonali, Willock; Elanga, Osula, Gordon.
Subs: Vlachodimos, Ruddy, Botman, Schar, Joelinton, Barnes, Targett, Krafth, Livramento, J Murphy, Ashby, Harrison, Hernes, Miley, Munda, Neave, Park.
Arsenal line-up
11:35 , Oli GentConfirmed Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly; Zubimendi, Merino, Nwaneri; Saka, Havertz, Trossard.
Subs: Kepa, Setford, Rojas, Nichols, Salmon, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Norgaard, Lokonga, Copley, Rice, Dowman, Odegaard, Kabia.
ICYMI: Gyokeres is a Gunner!
11:15 , Oli GentThere is an air of excitement bubbling around Arsenal at the moment, and it might have something to do with the fact that they signed Viktor Gyokeres last night.
The Sporting striker finally ended the saga over his future by penning a long-term contract in north London.
The Swede will join up with his new team-mates in Asia, but this game might come a tad soon for him.
Standard Sport prediction
11:00 , Oli GentArsenal are fortunate to have almost a full complement available to them, and their new signings - brought in early in the window - have ample time to gel and really bolster their numbers and depth.
As for Newcastle, they are looking relatively bare bones, with manager Eddie Howe admitting that his side have to get stuck into the transfer market. That is particularly the case if Isak departs, with Newcastle wanting a top striker to potentially replace him.
Without Isak, they sometimes lack that bite in attack, although Anthony Gordon can be expected to deputise through the middle, which could mean Harvey Barnes comes in on the left, and new boy Anthony Elanga goes straight in off the right.
That said, Arsenal should have too much for Newcastle at this moment in time.
Arsenal to win, 3-1
Newcastle team news
10:43 , Oli GentAlexander Isak will not be in the Magpies’ line-up after he was left out of their pre-season tour squad.
The Swedish striker is said to be nursing a thigh injury, but also has his future at St James’ Park up in the air amid interest from Liverpool.
That could mean that Anthony Gordon is deployed up front, and new signing Anthony Elanga could feature on the right wing.
Arsenal team news
10:30 , Oli GentCristhian Mosquera could make his Arsenal debut today.
The defender completed his move to Arsenal on Thursday, moving to Emirates Stadium from Valencia as part of a deal worth an initial £13million.
Mosquera has travelled out to Singapore to join up with the Arsenal squad and has already trained with them.
Gabriel missed the match against AC Milan and Arsenal explained on their website that was because he is still continuing with his rehabilitation after undergoing hamstring surgery in April.
Fellow defender Jurrien Timber was also not part of the squad. He was forced to have surgery in May to solve an ankle issue.
Mikel Arteta confirmed on Friday, the pair are still not in training - but they hope to be back in action next week.
In Timber’s absence, Ben White should start at right-back and Jakub Kiwior may get the nod in the heart of defence, potentially alongside new signing Mosquera.
In midfield, Martin Zubimendi impressed off the bench against AC Milan and so could start with his former Real Sociedad team-mates Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino.
In attack, Kai Havertz is the only out-and-out striker available to Arteta at the moment and so he could continue to lead the line.
Leandro Trossard and Saka may be the wingers, with Gabriel Martinelli quiet after starting against AC Milan.
Arsenal will likely give youngsters opportunities in the game, including 15-year-olds Marli Salmon and Max Dowman.
How to watch
10:10 , Oli GentTV channel: The game will NOT be broadcast live on TV in the UK.
Live stream: Viewers will be able to watch the game live on Arsenal.com, as well as the club’s official app.
Hello and welcome!
10:00 , Oli Gent... to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Arsenal’s pre-season friendly against Newcastle.
The Gunners take on Eddie Howe’s side in Singapore as they continue their preparations ahead of the new campaign.
Stay tuned for all the updates, with kick off at 12.30pm BST.
