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,