Arsenal take on Newcastle in Singapore in the Gunners’ second preseason match of the summer. Mikel Arteta will be looking to build off the 1-0 win over A.C. Milan on Wednesday. New signing Viktor Gyökeres will be in attendance, perhaps for an unveiling to the fans at the match, but won’t be playing. As a reminder, Arsenal summer signing Noni Madueke is not with the team on the tour after participating in the Club World Cup with Chelsea.
As with the Milan match, the biggest hope for today’s contest
is that everybody emerges unscathed. The preseason is all about getting minutes in the legs and reps with your teammates. With that in mind, I question the decision to play Newcastle, who are known to be physical (dirty) at times. Eddie Howe’s side are coming off an embarrassing 4-0 defeat to Celtic on July 17th and will be looking to bounce back. They’re without Alexander Isak, who has handed in a transfer request and not traveled with the team to Asia.
I’ll be watching Ethan Nwaneri closely — his development and role in the side is one of the more intriguing and important stories of the preseason. Arsenal need a Martin Ødegaard understudy, and it looks as if the 18-year-old has a chance to earn that spot. Nwaneri looks as if he’s gotten a bit bigger in the offseason. He flashed two dazzling pieces of skill against Milan earlier this week.
15-year-olds Max Dowman and Marli Salmon made their first senior appearances for the club last time out, and Mikel Arteta praised their performances. Everyone is eager to see them get another run-out.
Today’s match is available on Arsenal.com for £7, broadcast on CBS Sports Network (allegedly) and streaming on Paramount+.
Arsenal - Raya, Calafiori, White, Lewis-Skelly, Saliba, Merino, Nwaneri, Martin Zubimendi, Saka, Trossard, Havertz
Newcastle - Pope, Burn, Trippier, Murphy, Lascelles, Bruno, Willock, Tonali, Osula, Elanga, Gordon
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