The friendly match between Arsenal and Newcastle United turned into a thrilling football battle on Sunday afternoon. A five-goal spectacle ultimately ended in favor of the London side. In Singapore, Anthony Elanga scored his first goal for the Magpies, Viktor Gyökeres made his presence known to the crowd, and Sven Botman was forced off with an injury.
Arsenal and Newcastle United served up a pre-season spectacle in Singapore on Sunday afternoon, with the Gunners narrowly edging a dramatic 3-2 win in a match that provided far more than the typical friendly encounter.
Five goals, intense tempo, individual brilliance, and a debut appearance from a big-name signing all contributed to a fixture that gave fans a taste of what’s to come when the Premier League resumes. While the result itself will have no bearing on league standings, both sides treated the encounter with a level of seriousness that made it feel far more competitive than your average summer warm-up.
The biggest storyline before a ball was even kicked was the presence of newly-signed Swedish international Viktor Gyökeres, who was spotted on the sidelines just a day after completing his move to Arsenal from Sporting CP. The prolific striker was flown out to Singapore immediately after signing the deal and took his place alongside Jurriën Timber, who continues his recovery from a long-term injury. Though Gyökeres didn’t feature on the pitch, his mere presence created a buzz among the traveling fans and local supporters a clear signal from Arsenal that they are bolstering their squad with serious intent.
Manager Mikel Arteta’s lineup also indicated how seriously he was taking the match. While Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard were given a rest at the start, the XI still featured the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, and Ben White. The approach was less about experimentation and more about rhythm and readiness, with Arsenal showing strong positional play and pressing intensity from the outset. For Newcastle, manager Eddie Howe mixed experience with youth, opting to give minutes to several fringe players while still fielding regulars such as Miguel Almirón and Kieran Trippier. Sven Botman, returning from injury, began on the bench but was brought on in the second half a decision that would ultimately backfire.
The action started quickly, and it was Newcastle who took an early lead through Anthony Elanga. The Swedish winger, recently signed from Nottingham Forest, latched onto a loose ball and with the help of a deflection squeezed it past Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale to make it 0-1. Elanga’s lively movement and pace troubled the Arsenal backline throughout the opening exchanges, showing why Newcastle were keen to secure his services this summer.
Arsenal responded with a level of composure and cohesion that reflected their tactical evolution under Arteta. Just past the half-hour mark, the Gunners produced a flowing team move involving Saka, Jesus, and Leandro Trossard, which ended with Mikel Merino somewhat ironically a Newcastle old boy now trialing with Arsenal finishing with a composed left-footed strike to equalize. The goal seemed to lift the Arsenal players, and moments later they were ahead, albeit in bizarre fashion. In trying to intercept a low cross, Newcastle defender Alex Murphy ended up blasting the ball into his own net with an unstoppable finish, giving Arsenal a 2-1 lead and leaving his keeper with no chance.
Despite the setback, Newcastle didn’t back down. The Magpies kept pushing and got their reward early in the second half when Jacob Murphy twin brother of Alex made up for his sibling’s mistake with a well-taken strike from outside the area. His powerful effort fizzed past Ramsdale and leveled the score at 2-2, setting up a frantic final phase of the game.
Amidst the end-to-end action, Newcastle suffered a blow when Sven Botman, only recently recovered from a previous injury, pulled up clutching his groin and was forced off. It was a concerning sight for Eddie Howe, especially with the new season fast approaching and the Dutchman expected to be a key part of the defense. His replacement did well to maintain structure, but Newcastle never fully regained control after his departure.
The decisive moment came late in the match. Arsenal substitute Ødegaard, who had been introduced to bring some control to the midfield, made a smart run into the box and was brought down by a clumsy challenge. The referee immediately pointed to the spot, and the Norwegian made no mistake from twelve yards, calmly sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to make it 3-2. His goal sealed a deserved win for the Gunners, who looked the sharper of the two sides across the ninety minutes.
The final whistle brought an end to a match that had everything goals, drama, quality football, and even some unfortunate injury concerns. From Arsenal’s perspective, there is plenty to be excited about: Gyökeres' arrival adds a new dimension to their already dangerous attack, the team’s chemistry looks strong, and the depth is improving with youngsters and rotational players stepping up. The performance also reflected a growing maturity within the squad the ability to recover from setbacks and remain composed in high-tempo matches.
For Newcastle, there were positives too: Elanga’s debut goal, Jacob Murphy’s bright showing, and moments of strong midfield play will encourage Howe and his staff. However, the injury to Botman could cast a shadow depending on the severity, and the own goal while unlucky highlighted the defensive lapses that can occur when concentration dips.
In all, the match was a perfect advertisement for the Premier League, even in pre-season form. Arsenal walk away with the win and a boost in confidence, while Newcastle have food for thought and fitness updates to monitor. The countdown to the new campaign continues, and if this match was anything to go by, fans are in for another electrifying season.
