Arsenal narrowly defeated 3-2 Newcastle with a thrilling score of in an exciting pre-season match at the National Stadium in Singapore. This match was an excellent way to round out the 2025 Singapore Festival of Football.
A crowd of 38,720 fans watched an exciting soccer match where both teams scored five goals. The game was highlighted by a crucial late penalty kick taken by Arsenal’s captain, Martin Ødegaard.
Ødegaard’s Decisive Penalty Wins Singapore Thriller
The match highlighted both the new talent and current players of Arsenal’s team. A remarkable performance came from 15-year-old Max Dowman, while new signing Viktor Gyokeres, who cost £55 million, made his first appearance representing the team.
15-Year-Old Max Dowman: Arsenal’s Teenage Sensation
The night began with excitement as Anthony Elanga, a new player for Newcastle who cost £55 million, scored a goal just six minutes into the game. However, Arsenal quickly bounced back. In the 33rd minute, midfielder Mikel Merino scored a goal after a smart pass from Kai Havertz. Just a few minutes later, Havertz was involved again when Newcastle defender Alex Murphy accidentally scored an own goal, putting Arsenal ahead 2-1.
Singapore Festival of Football: Attendance Records & Fan Reactions
Newcastle made a comeback in the second half when Jacob Murphy scored an equalizing goal with a powerful shot from outside the penalty area. However, it was Arsenal’s young substitute, Max Dowman, who really turned the game around.
New Signings Shine: Gyokeres & Elanga Make Immediate Impact
When Dowman entered the game in the 60th minute, his remarkable talents and attack-ready attitude immediately grabbed everyone’s attention. In the 84th minute, he then made an exciting move into the penalty area, where Joelinton fouled him, earning him a penalty kick. Ødegaard stepped up to take the penalty and confidently scored, securing the victory for the team.
Manager Analysis: Arteta & Howe Post-Match Comments
M. Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, commended Dowman after the game, calling his performance ‘exceptional’.
“To perform like he did against this team, given the limited time he spent on the field, is definitely something you don’t see very often,” said Arteta.
He also showed excitement over the signing of Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres, who was introduced to fans before the game while proudly wearing the famous No. 14 jersey.
We are thrilled to have Viktor on board! It took a lot of effort to bring him here, but he has been amazing the whole time. You can feel the excitement from the players and the atmosphere around his arrival.”
Newcastle’s manager, Eddie Howe, appreciated the hard work of his team even though they lost the match. He acknowledged that the goals they allowed the other team to score weren’t ideal. Howe emphasized that the club wants to improve its squad for a challenging season ahead, which includes playing in the Champions League. He also mentioned the ongoing efforts to keep their key player, Alexander Isak, amid interest from Liverpool.
Asian Fan Support: Toon Army’s Strong Singapore Presence
Newcastle’s visit to Singapore was warmly welcomed by fans throughout Asia. Supporters from the Toon Army Asia Alliance, which includes people from countries like Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, and Indonesia, filled the stadium wearing their team’s black-and-white colors.
Defender Dan Burn expressed that he was deeply touched by the strong support from the local community.
“I knew there would be good help available, but I didn’t expect it to be as impressive as what we experienced.”
Future Plans for the Singapore Football Festival: Five-Year Agreement & Upcoming Events
The match was the grand finale of the 2025 Singapore Festival of Football, which kicked off with Arsenal beating Milan 1-0 on July 23. While only about 22,813 people showed up for the opening match, the final attracted nearly 40,000 fans, showing just how much local people love top-level football.
A new festival has kicked off as part of a five-year agreement between TEG Sport and the Singapore Tourism Board. This partnership means there will be more festivals in the years 2027 and 2029. People in Singapore are already excited and looking forward to seeing famous soccer teams like Barcelona and Real Madrid possibly play in the future!
Local Fan Perspective: Singapore’s Thrilling Football Experience
Teh Gui Hua, a 27-year-old fan of Arsenal, was one of the happy people at the event.
“This matchup has always been exciting, and I’m happy it met our expectations today. It would be amazing to see El Clasico played in Singapore one day!”
The match between Arsenal and Newcastle in Singapore was more than just a warm-up game; it showcased what’s to come for football in Asia. With young players stepping up, exciting new signings making their first appearances, and lots of enthusiastic fans in attendance, the Singapore Sports Hub highlighted its status as a top-notch venue for major events.
Arsenal experienced a night where their hard work paid off, showing they could meet expectations. Newcastle displayed a lot of talent and skill, hinting at great things to come. For football fans in Singapore, it was an unforgettable evening filled with excitement.
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