Football | Gyokeres unveiled as Arsenal edge Newcastle in Singapore

An interesting day for Arsenal fans

New signing Viktor Gyokeres was presented to Arsenal supporters ahead of a lively 3-2 pre-season win over Newcastle United in Singapore, with teenage forward Max Dowman again catching the eye.

Author | DJ

Gyökeres, who joined the Gunners from Sporting CP in a deal worth up to £64 million, greeted fans from the pitch prior to kick-off at the National Stadium. 

The career of Gyokeres so far

Gyökeres has scored an impressive 97 goals in 102 appearances for the Portuguese club and has also contributed 26 assists.

Last season, he averaged more than a goal per game, netting 54 goals in 52 appearances.

In the 2024-25 season, he scored 39 goals in Portugal's Primeira Liga and added another six in the Champions League, including a hat trick against Manchester City.

READ MORE | Transfer news from across Europe and beyond

He has transitioned from leaving Brighton without playing a single minute of Premier League football to becoming one of Europe's most prolific strikers. This journey included loan spells in the Championship with Swansea and Coventry, as well as a stint in Germany with St. Pauli.

How the action unfolded at the National Stadium in Singapore

It Newcastle who made the brighter start, with Anthony Elanga notching his first goal for the club in the sixth minute, steering in a scruffy finish after being found by Sandro Tonali.

Arsenal responded through Kai Havertz and Ben White, before Mikel Merino levelled with a composed finish from a deft Havertz flick just after the half-hour mark. Within minutes, Arsenal were in front as Alex Murphy turned a Havertz cross into his own net.

Newcastle made wholesale changes at the break, and one of their substitutes, Jacob Murphy, found space to shoot from distance. His effort squirmed past David Raya to make it 2-2.

Once again, 15-year-old Dowman made a notable contribution from the bench. The youngster won a penalty with a confident, mazy run, allowing Martin Ødegaard to convert the winner from the spot.

Arsenal now head to Hong Kong for a pre-season meeting with Tottenham Hotspur, while Newcastle continue their Asian tour with a fixture against Team K League in South Korea.