Premier League rivals Arsenal and Newcastle United are set to face off in a pre-season friendly in Singapore on Sunday, with the two clubs entering the match in vastly different states of preparation and morale.
The Gunners come into this game with confidence, having secured a controlled 1-0 victory over AC Milan earlier in the week. That match saw debuts for new signings like Martín Zubimendi, and another new arrival, Spanish defender Cristhian Mosquera, is in contention to make his first appearance for the club today.
In stark contrast, Newcastle United’s camp is in a state of turmoil. They arrive in Singapore fresh from a humbling 4-0 defeat to Celtic last weekend and are simultaneously dealing with a major internal issue surrounding their star player.
The biggest story is the absence of striker Alexander Isak from the tour. While the initial reason given was a minor injury, it has since been widely revealed that the wantaway forward told the club he did not want to travel as he continues to seek a move away. This distraction has undoubtedly cast a shadow over their pre-season preparations.
Although Newcastle have proven to be nightmare opponents for Arsenal under Eddie Howe, the current circumstances heavily favour the Gunners. Arsenal appear focused, organized, and in good form, whereas Newcastle are unsettled by the Isak drama and are coming off a heavy loss. A comfortable victory for Mikel Arteta’s side is the most likely outcome.
Prediction: Arsenal 2–0 Newcastle