Newcastle, Arsenal Confirmed Teams Kick Off Asia Tour in Singapore

Newcastle United and Arsenal are set to face off in a pre-season friendly at Singapore's National Stadium, with both teams fielding strong lineups to prepare for the upcoming season. Newcastle, coached by Eddie Howe, will be without striker Alexander Isak, who remains in England amidst transfer speculation and injury recovery, while new signing Anthony Elanga earns his first start. The Magpies aim to rebound from a recent 4-0 defeat to Celtic, with key players like Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, and Joe Willock in midfield, and Jamaal Lascelles making his first start since March 2024. Arsenal, managed by Mikel Arteta, come off a 1-0 win against AC Milan and have introduced new signings including Martín Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, and Myles Lewis-Skelly to the starting lineup, although Viktor Gyokeres and Cristhian Mosquera are not yet available for selection. The game offers a chance for both sides to integrate new players and test strategies, with Arsenal looking to maintain their strong form and Newcastle aiming to improve after a challenging week. The match is notable for showcasing emerging talents and new acquisitions as both clubs continue their pre-season preparations in Asia.