Arsenal signed off from the first leg of their Far East tour with a 3-2 victory over Newcastle.
The come-from-behind win makes it two from two here in Singapore, following on from Wednesday’s 1-0 triumph over AC Milan.
Newcastle took an early lead through Anthony Elanga but two goals in three minutes from Mikel Merino and an Alex Murphy own goal put the Gunners in front before the break.
Jacob Murphy levelled after half-time before a late Martin Odegaard penalty sealed victory for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Our chief football reporter Craig Hope was in the National Stadium to bring you his observations…
Mikel Merino netted one of Arsenal’s three goals in their 3-2 win over Newcastle on Sunday
Jacob Murphy’s strike levelled proceedings at 2-2 just before the hour mark in a improved Magpies display
Mikel Arteta’s men followed up their 1-0 win over AC Milan in Singapore in midweek with a productive run out on Sunday
Super Max
I wrote about this boy following Arsenal’s 1-0 win over AC Milan on Wednesday, but here is another mention for Max Dowman. For 15 years old, he is remarkable.
He would have had his first Arsenal goal if not for two fine saves from Nick Pope and then John Ruddy. On both occasions, he did what feels like the obvious, cutting infield from the right and taking aim with his left. On both occasions, though, Newcastle were helpless in curtailing his adventure.
Not even a smack in the mouth from Joelinton, which drew blood, could dampen his enthusiasm. And so, after escaping two Newcastle defenders and driving into the area, he won the penalty from which Martin Odegaard scored the winning goal. Dowman would have enjoyed the identity of the opponent penalised for the trip… his nemesis Joelinton.
But here is where I will change my opinion from midweek. I said then that next summer’s World Cup would come too soon for winger, who turns 16 in December. I’m not so sure that is right! Continue like this and Dowman could be Thomas Tuchel’s wild card pick, not that it would seem so wild on the evidence of this week.
Even my Newcastle-supporting friends were sending messages asking me who he is – he’s Max Dowman, and he’s going to be a superstar!
Fifteen-year-old Max Dowman was impressive again for the north London club, having caught the eye against AC Milan
Havertz responds to Gyokeres’ arrival
Arsenal’s £64million new boy Viktor Gyokeres was unveiled on the pitch before kick-off, and Kai Havertz responded with two first-half assists. His touch to tee up Mikel Merino for 1-1 was fabulous, and his cross to force an own goal moments later was vicious. But he still failed to do the one thing they’ve bought Gyokeres for – score a goal!
He had one header – unmarked on the six-yard area – that looped hopelessly over, and that is the frustration with Havertz, he just does not look convincing in front of the posts.
Gyokeres, watching in the stands, would have seen nothing to worry him when it comes to his expectation of starting the season as Arsenal’s main striker.
Arsenal’s £64million new boy Viktor Gyokeres was unveiled on the pitch before kick-off and took his place on the Gunners bench for the match
Kai Havertz appeared to respond to the Swede’s arrival, providing assists for Arsenal’s first two efforts
Catch him if you can
Anthony Elanga is fast! There was one pass that he zipped upfield and set about following – so quick was the Swede, he nearly beat the ball to its target!
Eddie Howe had a vision of unleashing the fastest front three in the Premier League on opponents this season, with Elanga, Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak. Sadly, for Howe and Newcastle, Isak appears to be using his speed to head for the exit door.
But his compatriot Elanga was on the scoresheet, with his first for the club. It won’t be his best, a shot with his right foot that clipped off his left and needed the inside of the post to find the net. Nonetheless, it was a timely settler for the winger on his first start in black and white.
So far, he is the club’s sole summer signing, and with that comes added scrutiny. He did OK here but, like his team-mates, faded as the first half wore on.
For Newcastle, it feels like there is still an awful lot of work to be done on and off the pitch before they are ready for the new campaign.
Newcastle’s only summer signing Anthony Elanga opened the scoring for the Magpies
The SHOCK area Newcastle need to strengthen
And here is this summer’s prize-winner for stating the obvious – Newcastle need a striker! With Isak at home and hoping to force a move to Liverpool, the Magpies are working around the clock to bring in a frontman.
They started with William Osula up top here, and he was third choice last season. He should really occupy that slot in the pecking order this season. The Denmark Under-21 forward is fast but raw with it.
Even after a season’s worth of work behind the scenes, he does not look ready to start at this level, evidenced by one passage when William Saliba outsmarted him as the pair chased a through ball. There is talent to work with, for sure, and he was unlucky when a second-half header flashed wide. But this outing brought home the need for reinforcements.
A deal for Yoane Wissa is currently being worked on and the Congolese has told Brentford he will not play for them again if it does not go through. He believes the club promised him last summer that he could move during this window.
The Magpies began Sunday’s match with William Osula, who was third choice last term, up top
Newcastle are working on a deal for Yoane Wissa, who has told Brentford he will not play for them again if it does not go through
Who impressed for the Magpies?
Who impressed for Newcastle? Kieran Trippier was their sharpest player during the half-hour period in the first half in which they were the better side. Howe could need his leadership in the coming weeks with the club’s pre-season enduring a turbulent start, and showing little sign of settling amid the Isak saga.
At 34, it was thought he might even move on this summer, but Trippier remains integral to the manager’s plans. This was an encouraging sighting after he finished last season with a minor niggle.
