Arsenal Survives Thrilling 3-2 Battle Against Newcastle: Player Ratings From Epic Friendly Clash
Arsenal secured victory in an exciting preseason match against Newcastle United on Sunday, with Martin Ødegaard's late spot-kick maintaining the Gunners' perfect summer record.
Despite Newcastle entering this clash following a heavy 4-0 defeat to Celtic and ongoing uncertainty surrounding Alexander Isak, they opened the scoring in ideal fashion.
A slick passing sequence from defense to attack culminated in Sandro Tonali making a penetrating run down the right flank. The Italian's precise cutback found summer signing Anthony Elanga, who scrambled home his maiden goal in Newcastle's jersey.
Arsenal, who had presented Viktor Gyökeres to fans prior to kickoff, found themselves trailing in Singapore and took time to find their rhythm. Mikel Merino, who had admirably filled various roles during the Gunners' injury-plagued previous campaign, operated in midfield here, with the tenacious Spaniard proving pivotal in Arsenal's comeback despite looking somewhat uncomfortable in possession.
Merino restored parity just past the half-hour with an elegant first-time strike beyond Nick Pope, before Arsenal completed their comeback just two minutes later when young Alex Murphy unfortunately deflected a Kai Havertz delivery into his own goal.
Arteta chose to rotate his squad gradually in the second period, with Arsenal dominating proceedings despite Newcastle equalizing through Jacob Murphy. Multiple players from the north London side tested Pope with quality efforts, including 15-year-old Max Dowman, who again impressed during his half-hour appearance.
The youngster, who was greeted by a characteristic robust Joelinton tackle, proved crucial in creating the decisive moment, weaving through the Newcastle penalty area before being fouled by the Brazilian midfielder, earning Arsenal their match-winning penalty. Captain Ødegaard converted confidently, having previously failed from the spot against Milan.
Newcastle pushed for an equalizer in the final moments, but their clearest opportunity, falling to wingback Harrison Ashby, was denied by Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Arsenal Player Ratings (4-3-3)
*Ratings provided by FotMob*
Player | Rating (Out of 10) |
|---|---|
GK: David Raya | 6.5 |
RB: Ben White | 6.8 |
CB: William Saliba | 6.3 |
CB: Riccardo Calafiori | 7.0 |
LB: Myles Lewis-Skelly | 6.3 |
CM: Ethan Nwaneri | 6.5 |
CM: Martín Zubimendi | 7.2 |
CM: Mikel Merino | 7.5 |
RW: Bukayo Saka | 7.3 |
ST: Kai Havertz | 7.5 |
LW: Leandro Trossard | 7.0 |
SUB: Martin Ødegaard (46' for Nwaneri) | 7.5 |
SUB: Jakub Kiwior (49' for Calafiori) | 6.5 |
SUB: Gabriel Martinelli (60' for Havertz) | 6.1 |
SUB: Kepa Arrizabalaga (60' for Raya) | 6.3 |
SUB: Max Dowman (60' for Saka) | 7.4 |
SUB: Declan Rice (69' for Merino) | 6.2 |
SUB: Andre Annous (77' for Trossard) | N/A |
SUB: Christian Nørgaard (77' for Zubimendi) | 6.0 |
SUB: Oleksandr Zinchenko (77' for Lewis-Skelly) | 6.1 |
SUB: Marli Salmon (77' for Saliba) | 6.1 |
SUB: Josh Nichols (77' for White) | 6.0 |
Subs not used: Tommy Setford (GK), Alexei Rojas (GK), Louie Copley, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Ismeal Kabia, Reiss Nelson.
Newcastle Player Ratings (4-3-3)
*Ratings provided by FotMob*
Player | Rating (Out of 10) |
|---|---|
GK: Nick Pope | 6.9 |
RB: Kieran Trippier | 6.2 |
CB: Jamaal Lascelles | 5.9 |
CB: Dan Burn | 5.8 |
LB: Alex Murphy | 5.1 |
CM: Joe Willock | 6.5 |
CM: Sandro Tonali | 7.0 |
CM: Bruno Guimarães | 6.7 |
RW: Anthony Elanga | 7.6 |
ST: William Osula | 6.4 |
LW: Anthony Gordon | 6.0 |
SUB: Emil Krafth (46' for Guimarães) | 6.4 |
SUB: Fabian Schär (46' for Lascelles) | 6.4 |
SUB: Matt Targett (46' for Murphy) | 6.1 |
SUB: Tino Livramento (46' for Trippier) | 6.5 |
SUB: Sven Botman (46' for Burn) | 6.2 |
SUB: Joelinton (46' for Willock) | 5.8 |
SUB: Lewis Miley (46' for Tonali) | 7.1 |
SUB: Harvey Barnes (46' for Gordon) | 6.3 |
SUB: Jacob Murphy (46' for Elanga) | 6.9 |
SUB: Harrison Ashby (70' for Botman) | 7.4 |
SUB: John Ruddy (73' for Pope) | 6.5 |
SUB: Sean Neave (74' for Osula) | 5.8 |
Subs not used: Odisseas Vlachodimos (GK), Alfie Harrison, Anthony Munda, Travis Hernes, Seung-Soo Park.