In front of a vibrant crowd of over 38,000 at the National Stadium, Premier League giants Arsenal and Newcastle United delivered a pulsating 3-2 thriller, offering fans in Asia a showcase of elite football and the promise of an exhilarating season ahead.

The night was also marked by a celebratory moment for Arsenal, as new striker Viktor Gyökeres, signed from Sporting CP, was unveiled to roaring approval from Gunners in the stands. But once the whistle blew, attention turned to the pitch, where both sides displayed intensity, ambition, and moments of individual brilliance.

It took just six minutes for Newcastle to strike first. New signing Anthony Elanga, making his first start in black and white, latched onto a crisp delivery from Sandro Tonali to finish calmly past Arsenal’s Kepa Arrizabalaga. But the Gunners responded with quality and precision.

In the 33rd minute, Mikel Merino capped off a slick passing move with a composed finish to level the score, before Alex Murphy inadvertently turned Kai Havertz’s low cross into his own net, giving Arsenal a 2-1 lead before the break.

Newcastle showed resilience in the second half, and it paid off when Jacob Murphy fired in from outside the box to restore parity in the 58th minute. But the night’s most talked-about moment arrived late on: 15-year-old Max Dowman, making a surprise appearance, was brought down by Joelinton after a dazzling solo run. Martin Ødegaard made no mistake from the spot, securing a dramatic 3-2 win.

Newcastle almost forced a draw in the 89th minute, but Harrison Ashby’s close-range strike was brilliantly denied by Kepa.

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe was measured in defeat, praising his team’s improved performance following a difficult outing against Celtic earlier in the week.

“We certainly needed to step up in performance, and we did,” Howe reflected. “Of course, there are things to improve, especially the goals we conceded. But full credit to the players, they kept going in very difficult conditions.”

While acknowledging the challenges presented by the club’s thin squad, Howe emphasized his trust in the younger players, who impressed in their second pre-season outing. On the absence of key striker Alexander Isak, Howe confirmed no update, while reaffirming that the club is working to reinforce the squad. “We know we need players. It’s been a challenging window. But the group is managing the situation professionally.”

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was pleased with the performance and the team’s readiness as the new season looms. “It was a brilliant game, exactly the kind of challenge we need to prepare for the Premier League and Champions League,” he said. “The goals, the atmosphere, and the pressure situations, all of it helps sharpen us.”

Arteta reserved special praise for Martin Zubimendi, who made his first start for the Gunners. “Martin is smart, he’s always one step ahead, reading situations. He brings a rare set of qualities to midfield.”

On summer business, Arteta reiterated Arsenal’s proactive approach in integrating new signings quickly. “It’s important to get players in early. With Christian [Mosquera], we’ve monitored him for a long time. We want them to be part of the team from day one, absorb the ideas, and connect with the group.”

Former Brentford captain Christian Nørgaard, another new arrival, spoke openly about adapting to life at Arsenal. “It’s been fantastic. The group has welcomed me incredibly well, and being here since day one has made a big difference,” he said.

While realistic about the competition in midfield, Nørgaard was clear about his ambition. “There are some of the best players in the world in my position, but I’m here to contribute. You don’t come to Arsenal to sit still. I want to help the team both on and off the pitch.”

Asked about his targets for the season, the Danish international emphasized the importance of internal standards over external pressure. “Pressure means belief. But what really matters is the daily work—the demands we set internally must be even higher than those from outside. That’s how we reach our goals.”

As the curtain fell on a thrilling night in Singapore, both teams walked away with valuable insights and growing cohesion. Arsenal’s cutting edge and youthful talent proved just enough to see off a spirited Newcastle side whose improvement was clear to see.

With competitive fixtures just around the corner, the match served as a statement of intent from both clubs: Arsenal, looking to go one step further in the title race; and Newcastle, determined to prove their staying power among Europe’s elite, bringing the 2025 Singapore Festival of Football to a satisfactory close.

The 2025 Singapore Festival of Football ran from 23rd to 27th July 2025. More information available here