Kai Havertz sends Viktor Gyokeres warning as Arsenal beat Newcastle – 7 speaking factors
ARSENAL 3-2 NEWCASTLE: The Gunners overcame a woeful begin in Sinagpore to see off their Premier League rivals with Mikel Merino and Martin Odegaard among the many objectives
Arsenal secured their first victory of their pre-season tour of Asia as they noticed off Newcastle United 3-2 in Singapore. Viktor Gyokeres was paraded earlier than the sport, just for his Swedish colleague Anthony Elanga to internet an early opener for the Magpies.
The Gunners flipped the sport on its head by means of Mikel Merino's strike and an personal purpose from Alex Murphy. Jacob Murphy equalised as soon as once more for Newcastle halfway by means of the second-half with a well-taken effort from vary.
Academy graduate Max Dowman gained a late penalty that was transformed by captain Martin Odegaard to safe victory for Mikel Arteta's aspect.
Arsenal are subsequent in motion in opposition to North London rivals Tottenham, with Newcastle's subsequent conflict pitching them in opposition to a Okay-League XI.
Listed below are all the speaking factors from Singapore.
Gyokeres will get perception
Even earlier than kick-off, all the discuss was dominated by the story of two gifted, Swedish frontmen. Viktor Gyokeres was the title on Arsenal's followers lips, with their conflict with Newcastle going down only a day after a sensational deal for the Sporting Lisbon striker was confirmed.
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The showdown got here barely too early for Gyokeres to make his debut for his new employers however he was in Singapore and could have hoped to have acquired an perception into how his new teammates function.
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Isak absent
And whereas Arsenal followers acquired their first glimpse of their new ahead earlier than the sport, Newcastle had been with out their very own within the type of Alexander Isak. The previous Actual Sociedad has been disregarded of Eddie Howe's squad for his or her pre-season tour in Asia after submitting a request to depart the membership.
Because it stands, we're no clearer to understanding if he’ll go away – or the place he’ll go if certainly he does depart St James' Park. In the intervening time although, he’ll clearly be a miss, albeit William Osula did a good job of issues having been handed the possibility to guide the road in opposition to Arsenal.
Elanga enjoys dream begin
Paradoxically, it was one other Swedish ahead who really stole the headlines early on as Newcastle's £55m summer season signing Elanga gave Newcastle the lead throughout the opening 5 minutes.
Kieran Tripper and Sandro Tonali had been key to the breakthrough, the pair taking part in a productive change down the best flank. The Italian picked out Elanga, who considerably unconventionally scooped the ball dwelling by way of the put up.
After six objectives for Nottingham Forest within the Premier League final time period, Elanga will definitely be aiming for extra over the approaching marketing campaign – and he's going the best method about it.
Merino haunts Magpies
Whereas Arsenal now have their much-desired centre-forward, they nonetheless required somewhat little bit of assist from last-season's emergency striker Mikel Merino. Signed as a midfielder, the Spaniard scored 9 objectives final season having been wanted in assault.
And he picked up the place he left off with an excellent end in Singapore. Merino himself gained the ball again excessive in Newcastle's half, with Trossard and Havertz exchanging passes.
The German's backheel picked out Merino, who slotted dwelling coolly in opposition to his former aspect.
Havertz the creator
With the strain now off of his shoulders in relation to goalscoring, Havertz might now turn out to be extra of a inventive drive. And there are already indicators of that occuring. It was his good backheel that opened up the possibility for Merino's opener.
It was additionally his depraved cross that led to Newcastle defender Murphy placing by means of his personal internet. It's positively early days however Arsenal's new look assault going into the recent marketing campaign is already very thrilling.
Raya crushed from vary
Newcastle finally discovered themselves on degree phrases simply earlier than the hour mark by means of Jacob Murphy. The wideman picked up the ball on the sting of the realm and fired a low effort into the underside nook.
With one other Champions League marketing campaign on the agenda for Newcastle, Murphy shall be wanted as soon as extra. And if he can lengthen the wonderful type that he discovered final season, he shall be greater than helpful.
Late penalty secures victory
After lacking a penalty of their earlier pre-season tie in opposition to AC Milan, there was no menace of Martin Odegaard repeating that this time round. And whereas the Norwegian netted to safe victory, a number of reward has to go to teen Max Dowman.
The academy graduate was launched as a second-half substitute and confirmed loads of promise. It was his tough run that noticed Joelinton take him down within the penalty space.
Following that profitable cameo, Dowman will definitely be hoping for extra alternatives over the season.
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