Arsenal showcased new signing Viktor Gyokeres ahead of their thrilling 3-2 preseason win over Newcastle in Singapore.
Arsenal claimed a 3-2 victory over Newcastle United in a pulsating preseason friendly held in Singapore but it wasn’t just the on-pitch action that got fans buzzing.
New star striker Viktor Gyokeres was presented to the Arsenal faithful in style before kickoff, receiving a warm reception from supporters eager to see what the Swedish international will bring to Mikel Arteta’s squad.
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Gyokeres who will wear the iconic number 14 shirt, once made legendary by Thierry Henry, greeted fans on the pitch as the crowd erupted with excitement.
His presence alone electrified the atmosphere, setting the tone for an eventful evening.
Though he didn’t feature in the match, the anticipation of his Arsenal debut added another layer of intrigue to a game that had plenty of drama.
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The match itself didn’t disappoint as Newcastle got off to a blistering start, with new signing Anthony Elanga scoring just six minutes into his debut.
His finish — calm and clinical — demonstrated why Eddie Howe was keen to bring the pacey winger to St. James’ Park.
The Magpies pressed high and took advantage of Arsenal’s slow start, exploiting gaps and threatening repeatedly in the opening 30 minutes.
But the Gunners eventually roared to life. In the 33rd minute, Kai Havertz’s clever backheel set up Mikel Merino for a composed equalizer, quickly followed two minutes later by an Alex Murphy own goal that handed Arsenal the lead.
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After halftime, Arsenal introduced several senior players and began asserting more control, while also giving 15-year-old Max Dauman a chance to impress and he did just that with his energy and creativity.
Newcastle responded through Jacob Murphy, who fired in a stunning long-range effort in the 59th minute to make it 2-2.
Yet Arsenal’s resilience paid off once again. In the 79th minute, Dauman drove into the box and drew a contentious penalty, which captain Martin Odegaard coolly dispatched to restore the lead for good.
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A Taste of What’s to Come
Though the spotlight was shared by multiple players, Gyokeres’ unveiling marks the beginning of a new chapter for Arsenal’s attack.
His physicality, pressing ability, and goal-scoring instinct will add a fresh dynamic to Arteta’s already potent front line.
Arsenal now turn their attention to a heated clash against rivals Tottenham in four days to wrap up their Asian tour, while Newcastle look to regroup as they face the K-League All-Stars.