In a fiery pre-season encounter at Singapore’s National Stadium, Arsenal staged a dramatic comeback to defeat Newcastle United 3-2, with 15-year-old sensation Max Dowman stealing the spotlight in a match filled with intensity and drama.
Match Highlights: A Tale of Two Halves
Newcastle struck first against the run of play when Anthony Elanga’s scuffed shot found the net, giving the Magpies an early lead. However, Arsenal responded swiftly before halftime:
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Mikel Merino unleashed a stunning strike to level the score.
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Just two minutes later, Alex Murphy’s own goal handed the Gunners the lead.
Newcastle fought back early in the second half as Jacob Murphy (no relation to Alex) capitalized on defensive disarray to make it 2-2. But the decisive moment came when teenage prodigy Max Dowman, introduced as a substitute, won a late penalty after a dazzling run into the box. Captain Martin Ødegaard stepped up and coolly converted, sealing a 3-2 victory for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Man of the Match: Max Dowman
Despite his young age, Dowman displayed remarkable composure, effortlessly blending into Arsenal’s senior squad. His fearless dribbling and intelligent movement led to the match-winning penalty, further cementing his status as one of the club’s most exciting prospects.
*”He doesn’t play like a 15-year-old—his maturity and decision-making are beyond his years,”* Arteta remarked post-match (via The Athletic).
Key Stats & Takeaways
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Arsenal dominated possession (62%), showcasing their trademark control under Arteta.
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Newcastle’s attack looked sharp despite Alexander Isak’s absence (amid Liverpool transfer rumors).
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Defensive errors plagued both sides, leaving Arteta and Eddie Howe with work to do before the season begins.
New Signing Watch: Gyökeres Debuts
Before kickoff, Arsenal unveiled new striker Viktor Gyökeres, who watched from the stands as his future teammates delivered an entertaining performance. The Swedish forward, signed from Sporting CP, is expected to add firepower to Arsenal’s frontline (BBC Sport).
What’s Next for Both Teams?
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Arsenal continue their pre-season tour with a clash against Liverpool in Los Angeles (ESPN).
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Newcastle face Tottenham in another high-profile friendly as Howe fine-tunes his squad.
With the 2025-26 Premier League season approaching, this match proved that even in pre-season, Arsenal vs. Newcastle guarantees fireworks. Fans can expect another heated battle when these two meet competitively.
For more updates, follow @FabrizioRomano for transfer news and @OptaJoe for in-depth stats.
