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Arsenal made it back-to-back pre-season wins after securing a 3-2 victory over Newcastle United at the National Stadium in Singapore. Mikel Arteta rotated his Gunners team for the Newcastle match after opening their pre-season campaign with a 1-0 win over AC Milan on Wednesday.
Myles Lewis-Skelly, Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino and Leandro Trossard were the four players to come in but there was to be no place in the squad for new signing Cristhian Mosquera. Arsenal were to go behind with only six minutes on the clock as Anthony Elanga scored his first Newcastle goal from Sandro Tonali's pass.
The Gunners restored parity towards the end of the first half courtesy of Merino's neat finish, before Alex Murphy put the ball through his own net moments later following a wicked Kai Havertz delivery. Newcastle were to equalise just prior to the hour mark with Jacob Murphy's strike from outside the box finding the bottom corner of David Raya's goal.
Arsenal took the lead once again after Martin Odegaard scored from the penalty spot in the 84th minute after Max Dowman was fouled in the box. Here's how we rated the Arsenal players in Singapore:
David Raya
Could no nothing about Elanga's goal but looked shaky on a couple of occasions inside the first 45 minutes. Conceded to Murphy's low strike and was then substituted moments later. 5
Ben White
Another decent showing in pre-season. Will no doubt feel he should have done better with the chance he blazed over midway through the first half. 6
William Saliba
Solid and dependable at the back as ever for Arsenal. Made way for Marli Salmon late on. 6
Riccardo Calafiori
Another decent showing at centre-back but exited the field minutes after the restart after going to ground. He did immediately head down the tunnel and all will be hoping it's nothing too serious. 6
Myles Lewis-Skelly
Started the game but didn't really have an influence on proceedings. 5
Martin Odegaard
Introduced at half-time and was involved immediately after forcing Nick Pope into a save. Bright when on the ball and unlucky with another effort that the Newcastle goalkeeper had to tip away. Did get the goal his performance deserved from the penalty spot. 8
Martin Zubimendi
Used the ball well as ever but could have perhaps reacted quicker to Murphy when he was in acres of space before letting fly. 6
Mikel Merino
Grabbed a goal against his former club with a confident finish into the bottom corner from just inside the area. Could have done more to close Murphy down for the equaliser. 6
Bukayo Saka
Tried to make things happen in the first half and was so unlucky just after the restart with an acrobatic effort at the back post forcing Pope into a brilliant save low down. 6
Kai Havertz
Huge impact on the game with a neat flick to tee up Merino and then his cross into the corridor of uncertainty saw Murphy put the ball through his own net. Made way on the hour mark and can be pleased with his night's action. 8
Leandro Trossard
Bright in the first half and was unlucky with one effort that struck Dan Burn. Key to the first goal with his smart passing picking out Havertz seconds before Merino netted. Worked the ball well to tee up Saka's acrobatic effort in the second half. Later moved up front after Havertz made way. 7
Substitutes
Jakub Kiwior (Riccardo Calafiori, 49)
Introduced minutes after the restart following Calafiori's injury and delivered another strong display. 6
Kepa Arrizabalaga (David Raya, 60)
Not much to do between the sticks until he tipped over a Harrison Ashby effort on the stroke of full-time. 6
Gabriel Martinelli (Kai Havertz, 60)
Little impact down Arsenal's left with Dowman wowing on the opposite flank. 5
Max Dowman (Bukayo Saka, 60)
Almost had his first Arsenal goal but for a Pope save after troubling the Magpies with a brilliant solo run from midway inside their half. Went close with another effort that tested John Ruddy late on and won a penalty following another driving run. Excellent cameo as he displayed his incredible talent. 9
Declan Rice (Mikel Merino, 69)
Good shift in the middle of the park. 7
Oleksandr Zinchenko (Myles Lewis-Skelly, 76)
Got the final 15 minutes or so in place of Lewis-Skelly. 5
Christian Norgaard (Martin Zubimendi, 76)
Took his place at the base of Arsenal's midfield for the remainder of the game. 5
Marli Salmon (William Saliba, 76)
Deservedly got some more game time in the final 15 minutes. 5
Josh Nichols (Ben White, 76)
Replaced White at right-back once again for the end of the contest. 5
Andre Harriman-Annous (Leandro Trossard, 76)
Took his place up front after coming on 5
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