Arsenal 3-2 Newcastle: Highlights, man of the match, stats from Max Dowman masterclass

The mesmerising Max Dowman proved too hot to handle as Arsenal came from a goal down to defeat Premier League rivals Newcastle United 3-2 in Sunday's pre-season friendly in Singapore.

In typical Gunners-Magpies fashion, there was no love lost between the two sides in a tetchy affair, one in which Eddie Howe's men took the lead against the run of play through a scuffed Anthony Elanga shot.

However, Arsenal - who unveiled new signing Viktor Gyokeres on the pitch before kickoff - deservedly turned the tie on its head before the break, as Mikel Merino's sumptuous strike preceded an Alex Murphy own goal just two minutes later.

Another Murphy clad in black and white spared his teammate's blushes, though, as Jacob Murphy levelled for the Magpies early in the second half as both managers began to ring the changes.

One of the newly-introduced players was 15-year-old Max Dowman, who did not look one bit out of place among the seniors and won the decisive penalty for Martin Odegaard to convert in the final 10 minutes, as Arsenal picked up another merited victory at the National Stadium.

SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT

Even in a supposed friendly match, Arsenal and Newcastle cannot help but be combative and feisty, so anticipation should already be building for their competitive contests in 2025-26.

Defensive lapses from both teams will no doubt irk Arteta and Howe, but the latter should be at least somewhat impressed by his side's attacking application in the wake of the dreaded Alexander Isak news.

The Magpies proved that they can get by in the final third without the Liverpool-linked Swede, although Will Osula had little say during his time on the field, so a new number nine would not go amiss.

Meanwhile, Arsenal's new number nine Gyokeres watched on as his employers pulled off a stellar comeback job, one in which wonderkid Dowman seamlessly slotted into Arteta's system once again.

ARSENAL VS. NEWCASTLE HIGHLIGHTS

6th min: Arsenal 0-1 Newcastle (Anthony Elanga)

Arsenal's defence is breached for the first time in pre-season!

Kieran Trippier and Sandro Tonali link up well on the right, and the latter's cutback into the penalty area is on the money for Elanga.

The Swede is not being picked up by Arsenal's defence, and even though he scuffs his shot into the ground, it deceives David Raya and ends up in the back of the net via the post.

33rd min: Arsenal 1-1 Newcastle (Mikel Merino)

A calamity of errors from the Magpies, but the calmest of finishes from the former Newcastle man!

Leandro Trossard fizzes a pass into the feet of Kai Havertz, who swiftly lays off Merino with a deft backheel, and the Spaniard guides a delicate first-time finish into the bottom corner.

35th min: Arsenal 2-1 Newcastle (Alex Murphy own goal)

The Singapore tide has been turned, and it is no less than the Gunners deserve!

Trossard takes a free kick quickly on the left-hand side and once again feeds Havertz, who looks up and sees Bukayo Saka making a darting run to the back post.

The German attempts to pick out his teammate, but Newcastle's Alex Murphy gets there first and inadvertently rifles the ball into the top corner of his own net.

58th min: Arsenal 2-2 Newcastle (Jacob Murphy)

One Murphy messes up, another atones for his teammate's error!

Jacob Murphy picks up a loose ball by the right-hand side of the Arsenal box, and there is seemingly nothing on as he takes a touch infield with bodies around him.

However, the winger somehow manages to squeeze a low strike through the crowd and inside Raya's near post; the Spaniard got fingertips to the ball in his last act before being replaced by Kepa Arrizabalaga.

84th min: Arsenal 3-2 Newcastle (Martin Odegaard)

Martin on point ? pic.twitter.com/le8Z2duYWq
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 27, 2025

Odegaard senior and Odegaard junior light up the National Stadium!

Fifteen-year-old Dowman has been electric since coming on, and the teenager wins a penalty courtesy of being shoved to the ground by Joelinton following a terrific run.

Odegaard steps up to the 12-yard mark, and despite John Ruddy going the right way, the Norwegian's penalty is placed perfectly into the side of the net.

MAN OF THE MATCH - MAX DOWMAN

Yes, really. He was that good.

Dowman showed glimpses of what he is capable of against AC Milan in midweek, and the 2009-born phenom once again stood out among peers twice his age today.

Bombing down the right wing again, Dowman forced both Pope and Ruddy into strong saves before winning the decisive penalty after an eye-catching run, and the teenager looks every bit ready for a prominent first-team role this season.

ARSENAL VS. NEWCASTLE MATCH STATS

Possession: Arsenal 50%-50% Newcastle

Shots: Arsenal 15-13 Newcastle

Shots on target: Arsenal 7-6 Newcastle

Corners: Arsenal 6-2 Newcastle

Fouls: Arsenal 9-9 Newcastle

WHAT NEXT?

Arteta's Arsenal now board a flight to Hong Kong to face Tottenham Hotspur in a 'friendly' North London derby next Thursday, where Gyokeres and Cristhian Mosquera may both take to the pitch in red and white for the first time.

Meanwhile, Newcastle trek to South Korea to face a K-League XI on Wednesday, three days before also tackling Tottenham in Seoul, by which point the Isak transfer saga may or may not be resolved.