Arsenal beat Newcastle United 3-2 in a highly anticipated pre-season friendly at the Singapore National Stadium. This was their second straight warm-up win. The Gunners showed outstanding form again after beating AC Milan, a strong team in Serie A.
Although it was a friendly game, it was fast-paced and very physical, with both teams showing a strong desire to win.
Fans Go Crazy Over Blockbuster Signing
Before the game started, Arsenal’s new star striker, Viktor Gyökeres, made a special appearance at the stadium. The Swedish forward signed for a huge €76 million this summer, and the fans gave him a warm welcome.
Even though he wasn’t on the squad because he just joined, Gyökeres has brought new life to the team. Fans are excited about what he can do for the team. He played in 52 games for Sporting CP last season, scoring an impressive 54 goals and setting up 13 more. Those numbers say a lot.
Newcastle Scores First, Arsenal Scores Again Before Half-Time
Newcastle scored the first goal of the game just five minutes in. Sandro Tonali sped down the right side and sent in a low cross that Anthony Elanga turned into a goal from close range, giving the Magpies a quick 1-0 lead.
Arsenal, on the other hand, remained calm and began to regain control. Both Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka came close to scoring.
In the 31st minute, there was a breakthrough. Leandro Trossard sent a perfect through ball to Havertz, who calmly controlled it and passed it to Merino, who scored the equalizer.
Three minutes later, Havertz ran down the left wing and sent in a dangerous cross that Jacob Murphy of Newcastle had to clear, giving Arsenal a 2-1 lead at halftime.
Drama in the Second Half and a Win
At the break, both teams made changes. Arsenal’s new goalkeeper, Kepa, made his debut in his first game. Murphy made up for his earlier mistake in the 56th minute by cutting inside and shooting low into the net, making the score 2-2.
As the game drew to a close, Arsenal’s young players established themselves. Doman was brought down in the box in the 83rd minute after a fast run, and captain Martin Odegaard calmly scored the penalty to put the team back in front at 3-2. Newcastle tried hard to get another equalizer late in the game, but they couldn’t, and Arsenal won.
Youth Shine as Arsenal Shows Tactical Maturity
Arsenal took 15 shots, while Newcastle took 13, showing that the game was very close. The Gunners not only showcased their attacking prowess but also gave their young players numerous opportunities to shine, and they did so with confident performances. The team looked sharp and more in sync with each other tactically.
After the game, Odegaard said, “It was a tough game. The heat made the game challenging, and Newcastle proved to be a formidable and powerful opponent. But it was a challenging game, and we’re glad to have won and gotten two wins in a row.”
As the preseason draws to a close, Arsenal appears to be finding its rhythm. The team looks ready for the upcoming Premier League season, with new players joining the squad and younger players stepping up. Fans have every reason to be hopeful.
