(4-2-3-1) Formation changed due to the arrival of Gyokeres and Mosquera”, Predicted Arsenal line up vs Newcastle Tomorrow – as Mikel Arteta set to hand two Academy players their dream debut tomorrow
(4-2-3-1) Formation changed due to the arrival of Gyokeres and Mosquera”, Predicted Arsenal line up vs Newcastle Tomorrow – as Mikel Arteta set to hand two Academy players their dream debut tomorrow
Arsenal’s Singapore stopover concludes with an intriguing all-Premier League friendly on Sunday, as the Gunners pit their wits against an Alexander Isak-less Newcastle United at the National Stadium in Kallang.
Mikel Arteta’s men commenced their pre-season tour of Asia with a 1-0 triumph over AC Milan in midweek, while the Magpies are reeling from a 4-0 humbling at the hands of Celtic.
Match preview
Victory? Check. Clean sheet? Check. Debuts? Check. Arsenal’s deserved success over Milan was very nearly the perfect night for Arteta and co, who witnessed Bukayo Saka’s scuffed finish make the difference early in the second half.
The only blot on the notebook was an inconsequential penalty-shootout loss to the Rossoneri after the full-time whistle, although new shot-stopper Kepa Arrizabalaga still earned his keep by saving three spot kicks, even if he was outshone by Milan man of the match Lorenzo Torriani.
As well as catching their first glimpses of Kepa, Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard in Arsenal shirts, Gooners also witnessed 15-year-old proteges Max Dowman and Marli Salmon play with the big boys for the first time; the highly-rated former certainly justified the hype on the right wing.
Now two for two in pre-season – having also conquered Watford behind closed doors shortly before flying out to the Far East – Arsenal do battle with Newcastle having been further reinforced by the signing of Cristhian Mosquera, whose arrival from Valencia was finally confirmed on Thursday.
The 21-year-old had already been pictured in Singapore with some of his new teammates, so a debut here is not entirely out of the question, and all eyes will also be on whether the Gunners get the eagerly-awaited Viktor Gyokeres deal over the line in time for Sunday
As Arsenal put the finishing touches on their new striker signing, Newcastle United could also soon be perusing the market for a big-money number nine, as Eddie Howe’s side have landed in Singapore missing a wantaway £150m man.
The Magpies stated that Alexander Isak’s absence from their travelling party was due to a ‘minor thigh injury’ – claims that were immediately met with scepticism by the masses online – and their suspicions were only strengthened when reports emerged of the Swede’s supposed will to leave.
Free-spending Liverpool are now thought to be formulating an offer that will be too good for Newcastle’s money men to turn down, but Howe cannot concern himself with transfer market matters while there is a blockbuster friendly on the agenda, especially after the events of last weekend.
Indeed, a strong Magpies side were slaughtered 4-0 by Scottish champions Celtic in Glasgow on July 19, thus receiving a taste of their own medicine after they thumped Carlisle United by the same scoreline in their first warm-up match.
Newcastle were also condemned to a 1-0 defeat at the Emirates the last time they faced Arsenal only a couple of months ago, although they had beaten Arteta’s men three times in a row prior to that, including two EFL Cup semi-final successes en route to ending their 70-year trophy drought.
Arsenal friendly form:
Newcastle United friendly form:
As mentioned, Arsenal new boy Mosquera has already been gelling with the squad in Singapore, and the Olympic gold medallist is all but guaranteed to earn some minutes on Sunday owing to fitness concerns elsewhere in the rearguard.
Neither Gabriel Magalhaes nor Jurrien Timber were involved in the win over Milan, as the former picked up a small knock shortly after his recovery from hamstring surgery, while Timber is yet to return to full training following an ankle operation.
A start for Mosquera is certainly not beyond the realm of possibility, while a full debut should also await Zubimendi at the base of the engine room after fellow new signing Norgaard was given the nod from the first whistle against Milan.
On Newcastle’s end, Isak’s absence and Callum Wilson’s departure on a free transfer offers Will Osula the chance to stake his claim for a starting role, and he would do well to make his mark this weekend amid talk of the Magpies taking an interest in ex-Gunners target Benjamin Sesko.
Howe is working with a fully-fit squad barring Isak, as left-back Lewis Hall has made the journey after recovering from a severe foot injury, but it would be a surprise to see him line up from the first whistle here.
Instead, either Dan Burn or the forgotten man Matt Targett should line up on the left-hand side of the backline, while new signing Anthony Elanga jostles with Jacob Murphy for the right-wing slot.
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Kepa; White, Mosquera, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Merino; Saka, Havertz, Trossard
Newcastle United possible starting lineup:
Pope; Trippier, Botman, Burn, Targett; Tonali, Guimaraes, Willock; Barnes, Osula, Gordon
