Singapore witnessed a captivating pre-season friendly on Saturday, July 27, 2025, as Arsenal secured a narrow 3-2 victory over Newcastle United. While the Gunners celebrated their second pre-season win, the match was played against a backdrop of significant transfer news, particularly concerning Arsenal’s new £64 million striker Viktor Gyokeres and Newcastle’s unsettled star Alexander Isak.
Arsenal’s Comeback and a Teenage Sensation
The friendly at the Singapore National Stadium saw Newcastle take an early lead in the 6th minute through new signing Anthony Elanga, who bent a shot in off the post after being set up by Sandro Tonali. However, Arsenal quickly turned the tide. Mikel Merino, playing in a more advanced role, equalized for the Gunners in the 33rd minute with a classy finish from the edge of the box. Just two minutes later, Arsenal went ahead when Newcastle defender Alex Murphy inadvertently blasted the ball into his own net while attempting to clear a low cross intended for Bukayo Saka (Daily Mail, The Sun).
The second half saw Newcastle draw level in the 58th minute, with Jacob Murphy unleashing a 25-yard strike that took a significant deflection, leaving Arsenal’s goalkeeper David Raya with no chance. The decisive moment came late in the game, courtesy of 15-year-old Arsenal prodigy Max Dowman. His dazzling run into the box forced Joelinton into a foul, earning Arsenal a penalty. Captain Martin Odegaard calmly converted the spot-kick in the 84th minute, securing a 3-2 victory for Arsenal (Daily Mail, Arsenal.com). Dowman’s impressive cameo, which included two shots on target and winning the penalty, earned him widespread praise.
Both teams made numerous substitutions, as is typical for pre-season matches. Arsenal saw new signing Martin Zubimendi start, while Kepa Arrizabalaga also made an appearance. Concerns arose for Arsenal with William Saliba reportedly going straight down the tunnel after being substituted, suggesting a potential knock, and Riccardo Calafiori hobbling off with a left knee issue. For Newcastle, Sven Botman lasted just 25 minutes of the second half before being replaced due to what appeared to be a groin problem (Daily Mail).
Arsenal’s Striker Solution and Title Aspirations
The match was also a platform for Arsenal to officially unveil their new £64 million striker, Viktor Gyokeres, who completed his long-awaited move from Sporting. While he didn’t feature in the game, his arrival signals Arsenal’s clear intent to challenge for the Premier League title. Analysts suggest that for Arsenal to clinch the league, Gyokeres will need to be prolific. Over the last decade, the top scorer for Premier League winners has averaged 22.5 goals. With Gyokeres having scored 39 league goals for Sporting last season, expectations are high for him to reach or surpass the 20-goal mark in England, a significant improvement over Arsenal’s top scorers averaging 13.3 goals in the last three seasons (CBS Sports).
The Alexander Isak Saga Dominates Newcastle’s Narrative
For Newcastle, the pre-season has been overshadowed by the ongoing saga surrounding star striker Alexander Isak. Mail Sport exclusively revealed that Isak has informed Newcastle of his desire to explore a move away from the club, with Liverpool being his preferred destination (Daily Mail). Isak was notably absent from the Singapore tour as he considers his future. Newcastle manager Eddie Howe addressed the situation, stating that any decision would be made in the best interest of the club, emphasizing their strong financial position and ambition (Daily Mail). However, insider reports suggest Isak was ‘furious’ with Paul Mitchell and is seeking either a new contract or a move, indicating deeper issues within the club (Daily Mail).
Other transfer news includes Chelsea reportedly set to receive a significant fee for Joao Felix as he heads to Saudi Arabia, and Liverpool and Bayern Munich being in advanced talks over a £69 million deal for Luis Diaz (Daily Mail). Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White signed a new deal, ending Tottenham’s pursuit (Daily Mail).
As the Premier League season approaches, both Arsenal and Newcastle have clear objectives. Arsenal, bolstered by Gyokeres, aim to finally secure silverware, while Newcastle face the challenge of resolving the Isak situation and maintaining squad stability amidst significant external interest.
