Arsenal 3 Newcastle 2 – Sunday 27 July 2025 7.30pm local time (12.30pm UK)
Instant fan / writer reaction from some of our regular/irregular contributors on The Mag.
Simon Ritter:
‘Meaningless friendly? Certainly not!
No match against that lot should ever be friendly and this one had plenty of predictable spite and bite.
Plus points were Alex Murphy despite his own goal, Pope on top form and Osula’s great energy. He was inches wide with a header that would have been goal of the match.
Minus points were Joelinton’s silly foul for the penalty, Botman lasting only 25 minutes and our wide players’ general ineffectiveness.
Those stories of Elanga’s two-footed ability are true; his goal was the best one-two since Jagger sang Jumpin’ Jack Flash.
Jacob Murphy was his usual mix of sublime and ridiculous.
Havertz spent most of his time trying to injure opponents. Some things never change, sadly.’
Nat Seaton:
‘A good test today and both teams played well in each half.
Good for Elanga to get his first goal.
Pity to lose by a silly penalty given away by Joelinton but it’s pre season and results are not everything.
I’m guessing Botman was not expected to play just 25 minutes so hopefully he is ok.
After this past week it was good to be able to concentrate on football the pitch and I’m sure the manager and players felt the same.’
Sam Hepworth:
‘Plenty of positives today, unlike against Celtic.
It was a match where once again the opposition had an advantage, Arsenal having travelled out a number of days before Newcastle and already having played on Wednesday, beating AC Milan 1-0.
The heat and humidity obviously tough, especially early in pre-season, but Newcastle playing well and holding their own.
A soft penalty conceded by Joelinton for Odegaard to score the late winner.
However, United were worth at least a draw.
Eddie Howe will be well pleased with how his players did today and hopefully Sven Botman is ok after only lasting 25 second half minutes.
Elanga showed his two footed ability when Tonalis excellent low cross from the right was met by the former Forest winger who shot with his right, the ball hitting his left, then deceiving Raya as it went over his dive.
Murphy with a very good low left foot shot into the bottom corner from outside the box.’
Tony Mallabar:
‘So it ends in a 3-2 defeat.
But let’s not forget the main story here.
why have some of wor lot who went to Singapore been spotted tree’d up? Must be the weather.
I am often on here saying players come and players go.
I’ve had it from a lad I know out in Singapore that this Isak situation is all down to his agent.
I will not name him either as this is a public forum and I cannot verify this 100%.’
John Martin:
‘United always going to be at a disadvantage in a friendly like this.
At a stage of pre-season when playing a different team each half in this heat.
Only Pope (who was excellent today, some great saves) and Osula played more than 45 minutes.
With a far bigger squad, loads more depth, Arsenal always going to have a helping hand when playing so many players in a friendly.
United played some good football and two good moves/goals whilst for Arsenal their first goal was well worked but the other two were a shocker from Alex Murphy when volleying into his own goal when it was easier to put it wide of the post, then the winner a soft penalty that Joelinton was penalised for.
Tonali was excellent I thought and he initiated the move for the opening goal, sprinted diagonally and eventually got the ball played down the line, Tonali then with a great cross for Elanga to put it away.’
Final score:
Arsenal 3 Newcastle 2
Goals:
Newcastle:
Elanga 6, Murphy 59
Arsenal:
Merino 33, OG Alex Murphy 35, Odegaard 84
Newcastle team v Arsenal:
Pope (Ruddy 73), Trippier (Krafth 46), Alex Murphy (Targett 46), Burn (Schar 46), Lascelles (Botman 46 (Ashby 70)), Tonali (Livramento 46) Bruno (Miley 46), Osula (Neave 73), Elanga (Jacob Murphy 46), Willock (Joelinton 46), Gordon (Barnes 46)
Unused Subs:
Vlachodimos,.Harrison, Munda, Hernes, Park
Newcastle United pre-season friendly schedule 2025/26
(Saturday 12 July – Newcastle 4 Carlisle 0 (Behind closed doors))
Saturday 19 July – Celtic 4 Newcastle 0
Sunday 27 July – Arsenal 3 Newcastle 2
Wednesday 30 July – Team K-League all stars v Newcastle
Sunday 3 August- Spurs v Newcastle
Friday 8 August – Newcastle v Espanyol
Saturday 9 August – Newcastle v Atletico Madrid
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