Arsenal’s Asian tour continues with a test against Newcastle, a preview of what will take place in just over two months in the Premier League (the two teams will face each other in the league on September 28). This time, however, the setting is the National Stadium in Singapore, where the Gunners faced and beat Milan last Wednesday thanks to a goal from Saka (1-0). Mikel Arteta’s men then lost the penalty shootout – which would have been played regardless – despite three saves from Kepa, who recently arrived from Chelsea along with winger Madueke.
Overall, it was a good performance from Arsenal in their second friendly of the season after a test in England against Watford. Odegaard and his teammates created numerous scoring chances (23 shots in total against 3 for the Rossoneri) and the new signings also shone, including former Real Sociedad midfielder Zubimendi. At the moment, however, the fans’ attention is focused on the Gyokeres deal: the striker who scored a barrage of goals with Sporting is about to officially become a Gunner.
Newcastle and the Isak question
The long soap opera is over, with Arteta finally able to call upon a striker of the Swedish’s caliber, the kind of finisher he has been sorely lacking in the last two seasons.
Meanwhile, former Valencia player Mosquera has also arrived and is expected to start against Newcastle. At the Magpies, however, there is a certain tension in the air: striker Isak did not travel to Asia for the tour, officially due to a minor thigh injury. In reality, the Swedish striker will most likely no longer wear black and white: after interest from Arab clubs, a huge offer has reportedly arrived from Liverpool, who are ready to shell out something like $170 million to snap up the former Real Sociedad center forward.
Newcastle, in any case, must do better than they did a week ago, when they were literally thrashed by Celtic (4-0) in their first friendly of the season.
Odds comparison
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The prediction
The two coaches will use this test to continue experimenting while giving the result the importance it deserves. Newcastle, however, must make up for their embarrassing performance against Celtic: a reaction is expected from the Magpies in a match that should see at least one goal from each side. It would be the first time in the last four meetings between these two teams that there has been no goal scored.
Probable line-ups for Arsenal-Newcastle
ARSENAL (4-3-3): Kepa; White, Mosquera, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Merino; Saka, Havertz, Trossard.
NEWCASTLE (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Botman, Burn, Targett; Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, Willock; Barnes, Osula, Gordon. POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1