Kai Havertz sends Viktor Gyokeres warning as Arsenal beat Newcastle – 7 talking points
ARSENAL 3-2 NEWCASTLE: The Gunners overcame a woeful start in Sinagpore to see off their Premier League rivals with Mikel Merino and Martin Odegaard among the goals
Arsenal secured their first victory of their pre-season tour of Asia as they saw off Newcastle United 3-2 in Singapore. Viktor Gyokeres was paraded before the game, only for his Swedish colleague Anthony Elanga to net an early opener for the Magpies.
The Gunners flipped the game on its head through Mikel Merino’s strike and an own goal from Alex Murphy. Jacob Murphy equalised once again for Newcastle midway through the second-half with a well-taken effort from range.
Academy graduate Max Dowman won a late penalty that was converted by captain Martin Odegaard to secure victory for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Arsenal are next in action against North London rivals Tottenham, with Newcastle’s next clash pitching them against a K-League XI.
Here are all of the talking points from Singapore.
Gyokeres gets insight
Even before kick-off, all of the talk was dominated by the tale of two talented, Swedish frontmen. Viktor Gyokeres was the name on Arsenal’s fans lips, with their clash with Newcastle taking place just a day after a sensational deal for the Sporting Lisbon striker was confirmed.
The showdown came slightly too early for Gyokeres to make his debut for his new employers but he was in Singapore and will have hoped to have received an insight into how his new teammates operate.
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Isak absent
And while Arsenal fans got their first glimpse of their new forward before the game, Newcastle were without their own in the form of Alexander Isak. The former Real Sociedad has been left out of Eddie Howe’s squad for their pre-season tour in Asia after submitting a request to leave the club.
As it stands, we’re no clearer to knowing if he will leave – or where he will go if indeed he does depart St James’ Park. For the time being though, he will clearly be a miss, albeit William Osula did a decent job of things having been handed the chance to lead the line against Arsenal.
Elanga enjoys dream start
Ironically, it was another Swedish forward who actually stole the headlines early on as Newcastle’s £55m summer signing Elanga gave Newcastle the lead within the opening five minutes.
Kieran Tripper and Sandro Tonali were key to the breakthrough, the pair playing a productive exchange down the right flank. The Italian picked out Elanga, who somewhat unconventionally scooped the ball home via the post.
After six goals for Nottingham Forest in the Premier League last term, Elanga will certainly be aiming for more over the coming campaign – and he’s going the right way about it.
Merino haunts Magpies
While Arsenal now have their much-desired centre-forward, they still required a little bit of help from last-season’s emergency striker Mikel Merino. Signed as a midfielder, the Spaniard scored nine goals last season having been needed in attack.
And he picked up where he left off with a brilliant finish in Singapore. Merino himself won the ball back high in Newcastle’s half, with Trossard and Havertz exchanging passes.
The German’s backheel picked out Merino, who slotted home coolly against his former side.
Havertz the creator
With the pressure now off of his shoulders when it comes to goalscoring, Havertz may now become more of a creative force. And there are already signs of that happening. It was his brilliant backheel that opened up the chance for Merino’s opener.
It was also his wicked cross that led to Newcastle defender Murphy putting through his own net. It’s definitely early days but Arsenal’s new look attack going into the fresh campaign is already very exciting.
Raya beaten from range
Newcastle eventually found themselves on level terms just before the hour mark through Jacob Murphy. The wideman picked up the ball on the edge of the area and fired a low effort into the bottom corner.
With another Champions League campaign on the agenda for Newcastle, Murphy will be needed once more. And if he can extend the excellent form that he found last season, he will be more than useful.
Late penalty secures victory
After missing a penalty in their previous pre-season tie against AC Milan, there was no threat of Martin Odegaard repeating that this time around. And while the Norwegian netted to secure victory, a lot of praise has to go to youngster Max Dowman.
The academy graduate was introduced as a second-half substitute and showed plenty of promise. It was his tricky run that saw Joelinton take him down in the penalty area.
Following that successful cameo, Dowman will certainly be hoping for more opportunities over the season.
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