Newcastle United and Arsenal have developed something of a rivalry in recent seasons, as was evident during Sunday’s pre-season game between the two.
Arsenal beat Newcastle 3-2 in a pre-season friendly out in Singapore, getting one over Eddie Howe’s side after previously beating them in May.
Still, prior to that, Newcastle appeared to have something over Arsenal. They beat the Gunners at St James’ Park late last year, before winning both legs of their Carabao Cup semi-final earlier in 2025.
Such is the ill-feeling between the two, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was even mocked by a section of Toon supporters all the way out in Singapore.
Newcastle United fans mock Mikel Arteta during pre-season game
According to Lee Ryder of The Chronicle on social media platform X, Newcastle fans were aiming a chant towards Arteta.
Arteta made some strange comments about the ball used in the Carabao Cup earlier this year, suggesting that it was part of the reason his side were struggling to finish their chances.
Newcastle fans mocked Arteta for his comments on the Carabao Cup ball earlier this year and did so again out in the Far East.
Ryder reports that a section of the fanbase were chanting: “It must be the ball, it must be the ball.”
Eddie Howe names what Newcastle United need to improve now
After the game, the Newcastle United manager was asked where he felt his team needed to improve.
While Howe said he was pleased with his team’s performance when compared to last week’s defeat at Celtic, he admitted the defending on show in Singapore left a lot to be desired.
He also refused to blame young defender Alex Murphy for his own goal, claiming the ball that caused him to put through his own net should never have reached him in the first place.
“Definitely the goals we conceded,” said Howe when asked about what needs to improve.
“The way we defended, I mean Alex has scored the own goal unfortunately but the ball shouldn’t have got into that situation for the second goal.
“Disappointed, I think it was a turnover in possession for the first goal and the third goal is a penalty because of probably a decision we didn’t have to make in the box. I think they’re easily avoidable goals.”
Newcastle continue their pre-season games against the K-League All Stars XI on Wednesday in South Korea.
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