After kicking off pre-season with a behind-closed-doors win over Watford last weekend and a public friendly victory over AC Milan on Wednesday, Arsenal are set to face their first Premier League opponent in Newcastle United on Sunday. Speaking ahead of that game, Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has suggested the Gunners have the upper hand.

The Gunners are on to their second game of their Far Eastern venture, having beaten Milan 1–0 at the Singapore National Stadium in the week. Newcastle, meanwhile, were thumped 4–0 at Celtic Park last weekend after starting their summer with a 4–0 victory over the lowly Carlisle United.

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe says the settling of Alexander Isak's future "has to be right for Newcastle". The striker is considering his future at the club amid interest from Liverpool. Isak did not travel with the squad to Singapore on Thursday,