Late Odegaard Penalty Gives Arsenal 3-2 Win Over Newcastle

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In a pre-season friendly in Singapore on Sunday, Martin Odegaard scored the winner from the spot in the 84th minute as Arsenal defeated Newcastle 3-2.

Before kickoff, the crowd of more than 38,700 gathered to introduce Swedish international striker Viktor Gyokeres, who was signed from Sporting Lisbon on Saturday.

In the Singapore heat, he watched from the bench as his new club won a thrilling match.

At the National Stadium in Singapore on July 23, 2025, AC Milan’s goalkeeper Pietro Terracciano (bottom) prevents Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka from getting the ball in the penalty area during the Singapore Festival of Football pre-season friendly game. (Photo by Roslan RAHMAN/AFP)

The 27-year-old could make his debut next Thursday when Arsenal take on Tottenham in another friendly in Hong Kong.

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Manager Mikel Arteta expressed his delight at having Viktor with us because “we are constantly improving the quality of the squad.”

“He needs to be here for a long time,” he said.

In the sixth minute, Newcastle scored with their first attack, which was without striker Alexander Isak as he considers his future.

After receiving a cross from Sandro Tonali, Anthony Elanga, a new signing, blasted the ball into the bottom corner.

On July 27, 2025, Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka controls the ball during the Singapore Festival of Football’s pre-season friendly game between Arsenal and Newcastle United at the National Stadium in Singapore. (Photo by Roslan RAHMAN/AFP)

However, after a shaky beginning, Arsenal regained control and rhythm.

In the 33rd minute, Kai Havertz’s film brought in Mikel Merino.

When Arsenal’s defenseman fumbled the ball into his own net two minutes later, Arsenal was ahead.

After the restart, the Magpies almost had a third lead, but keeper Nick Pope thanked him for stopping Bukayo Saka’s bicycle kick.

Unopposed to the start of play, substitute Jacob Murphy scored for Newcastle when his outside-of-box shot smacked past David Raya.

The game-changer came from 15-year-old Max Dowman’s deep run into the box, where he was clipped by Joelinton, with the match seemingly going to be a draw.

Following a 1-0 defeat at AC Milan, Odegaard made no mistakes from the spot to give Arsenal their second Singapore victory.

“Today was a friendly game against Newcastle,” the statement read. It was a real test, Arteta claimed.

It increased our physical and competitiveness levels. We still need to improve, such as how well we compete, comprehend our positions, and demonstrate our resolve to win.