Anthony Elanga starts as Eddie Howe names his Starting XI to face Arsenal in Singapore
Newcastle United are back in pre-season action today, taking on Arsenal as part of their pre-season tour of Asia. Kick off is at 12:30 pm, and you can watch via the NUFC website for a fee.
The Magpies take on the Gunners in Singapore, with Eddie Howe now having named the team to take on Mikel Arteta's side, at least for the first half.
Alexander Isak won't feature for some reason. We're not sure why. If anyone has any ideas, please put your answers on a postcard to WHAT IS GOING ON WITH MY CLUB, Newcastle Upon Tyne, PO Box 666.
Another Swedish striker will be there, however, as Viktor Gyokeres is set to attend the game after being confirmed as an Arsenal player. Thankfully, the game comes too soon for him to take part.
Newcastle have plenty of pace in attack at least
Eddie Howe has picked a fairly strong starting XI, which will see Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga starting together for the first time, adding some devastating pace on the flanks.
Will Osula will again lead the line as Newcastle's senior striker on the tour. Osula's pace is blistering, so our front three could cause some damage to the Arsenal defence.
Youngster Alex Murphy gets a start after impressing against Celtic last week in his brief cameo.
Enjoy the show
New signing Park Seung-soo is named on the bench, as is Joelinton, who missed out against Celtic last Saturday. Hopefully, we'll see him on the pitch at some point.
Eddie Howe has already made some pretty good excuses ahead of this game. Arsenal have been out in Singapore longer than Newcastle and have had more time to rest and get acclimatised. There's also way less of a circus around the Gunners. Indeed, after confirming Viktor Gyokeres, there's actual positivity in the Arsenal camp.
All that is to say, let's not overreact when we inevitably get pasted again today. It's about fitness and gaining match sharpness more than anything else. Just enjoy the show.
This is me taking my copium pills for the day.
