Premier League sides Arsenal and Newcastle United continue their preseason preparations with a meeting in Singapore on Sunday.
The English clubs are working towards the start of the 2025/26 campaign and both are hoping to feature new signings in the starting lineup.
One player who will not feature, however, is Alexander Isak, who is looking for a move away from Newcastle. It was widely reported on Thursday that Isak has informed the club he wants to explore his options, although Eddie Howe stated he hopes the striker will stay. Regardless, he is missing from the tour squad at present with what has been described as a minor thigh injury.
The news regarding Isak only deepens worries for Newcastle fans ahead of the coming campaign, after they were pummeled by Celtic 4-0 in their preseason opener. While preseason results generally matter little and Celtic were much further along in their preparations for the new campaign, the lopsided scoreline was still a worrying one, especially considering many of Newcastle’s regulars started the match or saw time off the bench.
Arsenal vs. Newcastle United lineups, team news
Martin Zubimendi gets his first start for the Gunners in midfield, with Mikel Merino joining him in a central trio along with Ethan Nwaneri.
Noni Madueke, signed from Chelsea last week, will not feature yet as he is on a short break following the Blues’ FIFA Club World Cup campaign. Viktor Gyokeres needs time to link up with the club and get to training before he can appear in a match.
Arsenal’s only injury worry at this point in preseason is the continued recovery of forward Gabriel Jesus from his ACL tear last winter. Jesus is expected to be ready for action soon but will be brought back slowly given his history of knee injuries.
Arsenal lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Raya (GK) — White, Saliba, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly — Merino, Zubimendi, Nwaneri — Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Arsenal subs: Odegaard, Martinelli, Kepa, Kiwior, Norgaard, Zinchenko, Nelson, Lokonga, Setford, Copley, Rice, Kabia, Nichols, Rojas, Dowman, Harriman-Annous, Salmon
Injured: Jesus (ACL)
MORE: All the latest Arsenal news | All the latest Newcastle news
With reports that Alexander Isak is trying to force his way out of Newcastle, it’s unlikely that the striker will play in preseason matches until the situation is resolved, even if he recovers from an apparent thigh issue.
Lewis Hall is the only other Newcastle player struggling with an injury, but his ankle issue isn’t thought to be serious.
New winger Anthony Elanga should be ready to play significant minutes moving forward after coming off the bench against Celtic.
Newcastle lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Pope (GK) — Trippier, Lascelles, Burn, A. Murphy — Guimaraes, Tonali, Willock — Elanga, Osula, Gordon
Newcastle subs: Botman, Schar, Joelinton, Barnes, Targett, Krafth, Vlachodimos, Livramento, J. Murphy, Ruddy, Ashby, Harrison, Hernes, Munda, Neave, Park, Miley
Injured: Hall (ankle, doubt), Isak (muscle)
How to watch Arsenal vs. Newcastle: Live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this preseason match across selected areas of the world’s major regions:
| Date | Time | TV channel | Streaming | |
| USA | Sun, Jul. 27 | 7:30 a.m. ET / 4:30 a.m. PT | CBC Sports Network | Fubo, Paramount+ |
| Canada | Sun, Jul. 27 | 7:30 a.m. ET / 4:30 a.m. PT | — | Arsenal.com |
| UK | Sun, Jul. 27 | 12:30 p.m. BST | — | Arsenal.com, NUFC TV |
| Australia | Sun, Jul. 27 | 9:30 p.m. AEST | — | Paramount+ |
| India | Sun, Jul. 27 | 3 p.m. IST | — | FanCode |
