Pre-season video games typically really feel like a non-event, however for these packed contained in the Singapore nationwide stadium on Sunday night, they had been handled to the arrival of Viktor Gyokeres at Arsenal.
The Swede wasn’t within the matchday squad after being confirmed as a Gunners participant on Saturday however acquired a heat welcome nonetheless, unveiled within the Arsenal dwelling strip earlier than kick off.
As soon as the soccer obtained underway, it was a basic Arsenal vs Newcastle match, actually. The Toon had been lacking Alexander Isak however Eddie Howe’s males nonetheless had that steely never-say-die nature to their play. They had been aggressive and dogged however Mikel Arteta’s males prevailed, successful 3-2.
Anthony Elanga opened the scoring for the Magpies early on however Mikel Merino quickly scored in opposition to his former employers, choosing up the place he left off final time period.
Arsenal had been forward minutes later courtesy of an personal objective however within the second half, Newcastle fought again once more as Jacob Murphy squirmed an effort previous David Raya.
The win was sealed from the penalty spot late within the day when skipper and second half substitute Martin Odegaard transformed his spot-kick.
The principle takeaways from Arsenal’s win over Newcastle
With Gyokeres unveiled to spectators previous to the sport kicking off, it felt like this was a match the place Kai Havertz wanted to make a press release.
Whereas the German did not discover he internet, going closest when heading over from a Merino cross, his link-up play was distinctive because it all the time is.
It was Havertz who was the supplier of Merino’s equaliser. Leandro Trossard performed a neat ball into the ahead who set it off for the Spaniard to fireside previous Nick Pope.
Moments later, Havertz was the supplier once more as his cross from the left-hand aspect diverted into his personal internet by teenager Alex Murphy.
The £65m man is but to search out the online in pre-season however a show like this demonstrated why Arteta is such a giant fan.
As they did in opposition to Milan a couple of days in the past, the Gunners did not have any issues creating probabilities, registering 15 pictures however notable moments went begging, solely illuminating the necessity for Gyokeres.
Elsewhere, we noticed a primary begin in Arsenal colors for brand spanking new signing Martin Zubimendi who seemed tidy in midfield once more, finishing 91% of his passes.
The largest considerations, nevertheless, will lie in Riccardo Calafiori, who limped off injured within the second half and Trossard.
In each pre-season video games now, Trossard and Martinelli have struggled to make an impression from the left wing, showcasing why Arsenal have been linked with a number of large forwards throughout the summer season.
One participant who may exchange them is Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze. The Gunners might effectively have discovered their very own model of the England worldwide.
Arsenal have already got their very own model of Eze
After signing Gyokeres, the phrase on the road is that the subsequent main goal for the Gunners is Eze.
Talks have reportedly been held to deliver him to the Emirates Stadium however it’s extensively anticipated that the north Londoners might want to pay his £68m launch clause in an effort to prise him away from Selhurst Park.
A “Premier League-proven magician” within the phrases of the Telegraph’s Sam Dean, Eze would give Arteta one thing his present aspect lacks; ingenuity. After all, Arsenal have the likes of Bukayo Saka and Odegaard of their ranks, however Eze is somebody who possesses the power to supply one thing out of nothing. He’d be a wonderful seize.
But, Arteta have to be cautious. With Eze most at dwelling as an attacking midfielder, what would his arrival imply for somebody like Ethan Nwaneri? The Hale Ender is about to signal a brand new contract with the membership this summer season however his sport time can be broken if the Palace celebrity does arrive.
It could additionally dampen the sport time of a sure Max Dowman, a participant who possesses very related abilities to Eze. He is showcased that in his first two senior video games.
Dowman made his senior debut for the membership final Wednesday within the 1-0 win over Milan, finishing 92% of his passes and solely dropping a single duel.
Simply 15 years of age, {the teenager}’s potential to create one thing with a burst of acceleration and dazzling piece of talent is really a sight to behold.
In that regard, he is lower from the same fabric as Eze and his efficiency from the bench in opposition to Newcastle showcased as soon as once more why he is so extremely rated.
Inside moments of approaching, Dowman burst ahead with the ball via the centre of the pitch earlier than arriving on the sting of the realm and forcing a sensible save from Pope.
The way in which he glides ahead with the ball and manipulates possession is unimaginable, even successful the penalty from which Arsenal received the sport.
Dowman had Joelinton on toast, skipping past the Brazilian earlier than the robust midfielder introduced him down by the byline.
Max Dowman vs Newcastle | |
|---|---|
Minutes performed | 30 |
Touches | 16 |
Correct passes | 4/4 (100%) |
Key passes | 0 |
Correct crosses | 1/1 |
Pictures on track | 2 |
Pictures off beam | 0 |
Profitable dribbles | 2/3 |
Duels received | 6/8 |
Possession misplaced | x2 |
Fouled | x3 |
Tackles | 1 |
Stats through Sofascore. | |
It was a near-impeccable cameo from the teenager who left the sector having accomplished all of his passes and received six of his eight duels.
Handed a shocking 9/10 match ranking by Soccer.London’s Rob Visitor at full-time, the reporter wrote: ‘Virtually had his first Arsenal objective however for a Pope save after troubling the Magpies with an excellent solo run from halfway inside their half. Went shut with one other effort that examined John Ruddy late on and received a penalty following one other driving run. Wonderful cameo as he displayed his unimaginable expertise.’
Whereas warning have to be urged when hyping up somebody as younger as Dowman, he actually does appear to be the true deal. Not many can keep in mind seeing somebody this good come via the academy at his age. He’s a particular expertise. Dare we even say a generational one, too?
Blessed with electrical dribbling, creativity and one eye on objective, scoring 19 instances in 23 appearances at youth degree final season, it appears like Arsenal have produced their very own Eze out of Hale Finish.
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