مدير عام كرة القدم
- Arsenal fell behind in competitive first half
- Merino effort and Murphy own goal turned game
- 15-year-old Dowman steals the show
Both sides started energetically, pressing and harrying each other in defence and showing ambition in the opening minutes. It was the Magpies that started brightest, their first attack of the game resulting in the first goal of the game. A cross pulled back towards the penalty spot by Kieran Trippier was met by new man Anthony Elanga, whose scuffed effort skewed off his standing leg, befuddling a wrong-footed David Raya and finding the net via the woodwork.
With the game continuing at a mid-season pace, Arsenal found it difficult to break down a resolute and well-organised Newcastle side. After the water-break, the Gunners exacted more control, with new man Martin Zubimendi increasingly able to dictate the pace.
The Gunners drew level in the 32nd minute. After Newcastle gave the ball away cheaply. Kai Havertz flicked a pass into his feet into the path of the oncoming Mikel Merino. Last season’s makeshift striker, starting in his preferred central midfield position, showed his marksman skills by drilling an effort beyond Nick Pope’s despairing dive.
Quickly after the restart, Arsenal again found joy down their left-hand side. This time it was Leandro Trossard acting the provider. His fizzing cross across the face of Newcastle’s goal was destined for a Bukayo Saka tap-in, However, Newcastle’s Alexander Murphy attempted to clear with his weaker right foot, but ended up smashing the ball home in a comical own goal that would likely live in infamy had it happened in a competitive game. Those goals knocked the stuffing out of the game Magpies, with Arsenal able to knock the ball around for the remainder of the first period.
Mikel Arteta resisted a raft of half-time changes, with just Martin Odegaard and Jakub Kiwior replacing Ethan Nwaneri and Riccardo Calafiori at the break. That continuity allowed the Gunners to grow even further into the game, depriving their opposition of the ball and creating half-chances. Saka almost scored an acrobatic effort, contorting his body for an overhead attempt from a Trossard cross. Pope was able to get down to his left to prevent a stunning goal.
Shortly after, Newcastle found an equaliser against the run of play. Jacob Murphy was given ample time to turn inside the Arsenal half before unleashing an effort from 25 yards. The low curling effort really should have been stopped by Raya, who may have been unsighted in the Arsenal net. That brought more changes from Arteta, with Kepa Arrizabalaga, Gabriel Martinelli and youngster Max Dowman entering the fray.
That goal brought about a lull in proceedings, the newly introduced players from both benches unable to match the pace and intensity of the first half. Twice, Dowman threatened to break the deadlock, producing two jinking runs and shots from distance that drew impressive saves out of Pope and his replacement, the veteran John Ruddy.
The youngster did eventually make the telling contribution, craftily winning a penalty in the 83rd minute. Dowman raced into the Newcastle box, drawing contact from a chasing Joelinton. Odegaard stepped up, and powerfully placed a side-footed effort just beyond the reach of a sprawling Ruddy. While Newcastle forced two stops out of Kepa, Arsenal were able to see out the victory with relative ease. An entertaining game, with plenty of positive signs for Arteta’s men, no less the emergence of the impressive Dowman.
The signing of Noni Madueke has brought Trossard‘s future into question. Perhaps spurred on to demonstrate his utility, the versatile Belgian operated off the left and through the middle, providing industry and purpose. Involved in the buildup for both goals.
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Martin Zubimendi displayed the neat passing and fleet of foot on the ball that made him a target for both Arsenal and Liverpool. The ex-Real Sociedad man looked a natural fit in the heart of the Gunners’ midfield, picking the ball up from his centre backs and advancing the ball either through precise forward balls or purposeful carries.
While he took no part in the game, long-time transfer target Viktor Gyokeres was unveiled to the crowd ahead of the game. Kepa Arrizabalaga made two comfortable stops after his introduction, while Christian Norgaard was given just 15 minutes on the pitch.
Arteta is intent on using pre-season to ensure his first-team are prepared for the upcoming season, rather than blooding unproven youngsters.
However, an exception was made for Dowman. The 15-year-old winger replaced Bukayo Saka on the Arsenal right with thirty minutes remaining. Initially quiet, the youngster showed remarkable confidence, an ability to run with the ball at pace, and the veteran instincts to convince the referee that a slight touch from Joelinton was enough for a penalty to be awarded. One for the future.
Andre Harriman-Annous and Marli Ellis Salmon were eventually introduced to the game, but with just 15 minutes to assert themselves did not produce any notable moments.
The Gunners head to Hong Kong to take on Tottenham in the first north London derby to take place outside of the UK. Pre-season ties against Villarreal and Athletic Club follow, as Arsenal prepare for Manchester متحد in their الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز opener on August 17.