Preseason games often feel like they’re not an event, but for those crammed inside the National Stadium on Sunday evening, they were treated to the arrival of Victor Guilyoker at Arsenal.
The Swedes were not on the match-day team after being confirmed as a Gunners player on Saturday, but still received a warm welcome announced on Arsenal’s home strip before kickoff.
When football started, it was really an Arsenal vs. Newcastle match. Thun had lost Alexander Isaac, but the men of Eddie Howe still had the steely nature of their play. They were aggressive and dogs, but Mikel Arteta’s men won, winning 3-2.
Anthony Elanga opened up a magpie score early, but Mikel Merino quickly scored against his previous employer and picked up from where he left off in the previous term.
Arsenal was ahead of its own goal a few minutes later, but in the second half, Newcastle fought back again as Jacob Murphy turned his effort past David Raya.
The victory was sealed off from the penalty spot at the end of the day when skipper and late Martin Odegard converted his spot kick.
Main takeouts from Arsenal’s victory over Newcastle
As Gyoker was announced to the audience before the game began, it felt like this was the match Kai Havertz needed to make a statement.
The Germans were closest to him when he didn’t find the net and stood up from Merino’s cross, but his link-up play was as exceptional as ever.
Herberts was the provider of Merino equalizers. Leandro Trossard played a neat ball forward that caused it to fire past Nick Pope.
A while later, Havertz became a provider once again as the cross from the left side detoured to his own net by young man Alex Murphy.
The £65 million man has yet to find the net in the preseason, but displays like this showed why Arteta is such a huge fan.
As he did against Milan a few days ago, the gunners created opportunities and registered 15 shots, but notable moments gging and illuminated the need for Gyoker.
Elsewhere, we saw the first start in Arsenal colours. This signed Martin Zubimendi, who is again tidy in the middle, completing 91% of his passes.
But the biggest concern lies in Ricardo Carafioli, who was injured in the second half.
In the current preseason game, Trossard and Martinelli struggle to make an impact from the left, showing why Arsenal linked up with some broad forwards over the summer.
One of the players who can trade them is Crystal Palace Star Ebe Kieze. The gunner may have found a unique version of England International.
Arsenal already has its own version of eze
After signing Gyokeres, the word on the street is that Gunners’ next major target is Eze.
Consultations were reportedly made to take him to Emirates Stadium, but it is widely expected that North Londoners will need to pay his £68 million release clause to keep him away from Selhurst Park.
Eze, the “premier league-filled magician” in the words of Samdeen of the Telegraph, will give Arteta what he lacks on his present side. Ingenuity. Of course, Arsenal ranks include Bukayosaka and Odegard, but Eze is someone who has the ability to produce something from nothing. He’s going to be a great capture.
However, Arteta must be careful. Most home and most Eise as the attacking midfielder, what does his arrival mean to someone like Ethan Nwaneri? Hale Ender is scheduled to sign a new contract with the club this summer, but if the palace superstar arrives, his game time will be damaged.
It could also dampen the game time of certain Max Dowman, a player with a very similar skill to Eze. He presents it in his first two senior games.
Douman defeated Milan 1-0 last Wednesday, completing 92% of his passes and losing just one duel, making his senior debut with the club.
At just 15 years old, the ability for a teenager to create something with acceleration and a explosion of stunning skills is a truly spectacle to see.
In that respect, he was cut from a similar fabric to Eze, and his performance from the bench against Newcastle again showed why he was so highly regarded.
Coming, Douman went forward through the center of the pitch and with the ball, reaching the edge of the area, forcing a smart save from the Pope.
The way he advances with the ball and manipulates his possessions is incredible, and even has won a penalty that Arsenal won the game.
Douman feeds Jollington with toast, skipping over the Brazilians before a tough midfielder signs him to defeat him.
Max Dowman vs Newcastle | |
|---|---|
I played a few minutes | 30 |
touch | 16 |
The exact path | 4/4 (100%) |
Key Pass | 0 |
Accurate intersection | 1/1 |
Target shot | 2 |
Target shot | 0 |
The dribbling was successful | 2/3 |
The duel won | 6/8 |
Lost Ownership | x2 |
Fould | x3 |
Tackle | 1 |
Statistics via Sofascore. | |
It was an almost messed cameo of a teen who left the field as he completed all of his passes and won six of his eight duels.
Full time passed a spectacular 9/10 match rating by London Rob Guest. The reporter wrote: He tested John Raddy late and drove another drive and came closer to another effort that earned a penalty. Amazing cameo as he showed incredible talent. ”
You have to be wary when hyping young people like Douman, but he really looks like a real deal. Not many remember seeing this good man come through the academy at his age. He is a special talent. Do we even dare to say that we are from generations too?
He scored 19 in 23 appearances at the youth level last season, making it seem Arsenal has produced his own Eze from the hail end.
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