The team sheets are in at the Singapore National Stadium, where Newcastle take on Arsenal in the first game of our pre-season tour of Asia.
Eddie Howe’s Mags will be looking to bounce back from defeat against Celtic last weekend, with a strong performance needed today.
Alexander Isak is of course missing from the squad, having remained in the North East amidst growing fears he may have played his last game for the club.
So it’s another opportunity for Will Osula to lead the line in the Swede’s absence, with a big test ahead of him against the formidable duo of William Saliba and Riccardo Calafiori.
And there’s some big calls on the bench in particular, with a host of our young, emerging talent ready to shine, alongside new signing Seung-soo Park.
Newcastle XI: Pope; Trippier, Lascelles, A.Murphy, Burn, Tonali, Guimaraes, Willock; Elanga, Osula, Gordon.
Subs: Vlachodimos, Ruddy, Botman, Schar, Joelinton, Barnes, Targett, Krafth, Livramento, J.Murphy, Ashby,Harrison, Hernes, Munda, Neave, Miley, Seung-soo Park.
Arsenal XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Zubimendia, Nwaneri, Merino, Saka, Havertz, Trossard
Subs: Kepa, Setford, Rojas-Fedorushchenko, Nichols, Salmon, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Norgaard, Lokonga, Copley, Rice, Dowman, Odegaard, Kabia
There’s no Joelinton in the starting XI once again as the big Brazilian is still getting back to speed after his season-ending injury, as Joe Willock joins Tonali and Guimaraes in the midfield to start the game.
Alex Murphy has been given the nod in defence, and Jamaal Lascelles gets his first start in well over a year, with no Lewis Hall in the squad in any capacity as he slowly recovers from a foot operation.
Whilst Anthony Elanga faces an exciting battle against Myles Lewis-Skelly as he searches for his first contribution in a Newcastle shirt.
We may also get to see a first glimpse of new signing Seung-soo Park, as the South Korean prospect is one of many big inclusions made by Howe this afternoon.
Meanwhile Viktor Gyökeres isn’t available just yet for Mikel Arteta’s side, so Kai Havertz starts at striker.
Former Newcastle star Mikel Merino is in the midfield alongside compatriot Zubimendi in what’s a strong Arsenal starting XI.
But the Gunners’ bench is a youthful one, but Max Dowman is one to watch: the 15-year-old dazzled against AC Milan, and we can expect him to come on in the second half alongside Declan Rice.
Remember, this game will only go to a penalty shootout if it ends in a draw at 90 minutes, unlike most pre-season friendlies abroad where penalties happen regardless of the final result.
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