Arsenal met Newcastle in Asia on Sunday and the feelings at the two clubs could no longer be different, with reactions after the Mikel Arteta and Eddie Howe speaking volumes in both situations
Newcastle United only flew a few months ago. They had dumped Arsenal from a semi -final of the League Cup, mocked them on their way to lifting their first domestic trophy in 70 years and sealed a dream return to the Champions League. In the meantime, Arsenal was left empty -handed after a promising season faded.
Fast forward to this summer in Singapore and the momentum is dramatically shifted.
While Arsenal new £ 63 million striker Viktor Gyokeres paraded before kicking off, Newcastle consumed the growing prospect of losing their death frontman Alexander Isak. On the field, the side of Mikel Arteta defeated the Magpies 3-2, but it was the scenes of the field that best conquered the changing fortunes of the two clubs.
Arteta now has six summer signs through the door and he is not ready yet. Ebereechi Eze from Crystal Palace is the next one on the list while Arsenal seems to be building a team that can finally cross the line.
“We have plans, we have many options and we increase the quality and depth of the team with all the signing sessions we have done,” said Arteta. “We are super happy to have Victor with us. It has been a long journey to get it here. You can see the boys and the surroundings, very excited with his arrival.”
Arsenal showed their new strength in depth in the victory over Newcastle. Anthony Elanga gave the magpies an early lead, but Arsenal hit back with goals from Mikel Merino and his own goal from Alex Murphy. Jacob Murphy leveled the game in the second half before Martin Odegaard sealed the victory of the place.
While Arsenal looks ready on all fronts, Newcastle seems to go back and Eddie Howe knows.
“No, nothing has changed with his situation,” said Howe when he was asked about Isak. “Of course I think we will miss a player of Alex's quality and the group will feel that. That is not to be denied.”
Without no new striker, how did the game connect that young, playing for young, inexperienced attackers William Osula and Sean Nieve. It was a situation that emphasizes their current perilous situation.
“Yes, of course we are not misled. We know that we have to bring in players. We have known that for a long time. It has been a challenging transfer window. Let's see what we can do by the end.”
Asked if Isak could join the team in Zuid -Korea for the next stage of the Asia tour, Howe Bot was: “No. No chance.”
And to spend Arsenal Big while Newcastle has difficulty landing their goals, how diplomatic was but honest: “From my perspective you can never judge yourself against other clubs. They will do what they have to do. We have to try to do what we have to do.”
And Howe will be at his best irritated when he left the Singapore National Stage to learn his latest transfer target, Brentford's Yoane Wissa has moved his dream to St James' potentially. The bees want a premium price because they are reluctant to lose another important player who has already sold Christian Norgaard and Bryan Mbeumo. It is said that Wissa is not in danger of playing when he is made in West London.
At the end of May, Newcastle looked like the team in the elevator and Arsenal managed to take the last steps to silverware.
Now it is Arteta that smiles and how in the hope that in the coming weeks will not define a season before it even starts.