SINGAPORE: Martin Odegaard scored the winner from the spot in the 84th minute as Arsenal beat Newcastle United 3-2 in a preseason friendly in Singapore on Sunday.

Viktor Gyokeres, the Swedish international striker signed on Saturday from Sporting Lisbon, was introduced to the crowd of more than 38,700 before kickoff.

He watched from the bench as his new club won an entertaining encounter in the Singapore heat.

The 27-year-old could make his debut when Arsenal take on Tottenham Hotspur in Hong Kong next Thursday in another friendly.

`We are increasing the quality of the squad all the time, so we`re super happy to have Viktor with us,` said manager Mikel Arteta. `It has been a long journey to get him here.

Gyokeres joined Arsenal on a five-year deal.

Financial details on the transfer were not disclosed but British media reported Arsenal agreed to pay 55 million pounds ($73.89 million) fixed upfront fee plus around 8 million pounds in add-ons for the 27-year-old.

`To come here to a club on Arsenal`s level, I think it`s going to help me perform even better with all the amazing players in this team. I`m really excited to get going,` said Gyokeres.

`I just felt that it was the right club for me.

When I was playing against Arsenal last season, I could really feel it was a very strong team and very difficult to play against.

The Sweden international is Arsenal`s fifth recruit in the close-season after winger Noni Madueke, goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and midfielders Christian Norgaard and Martin Zubimendi.

Newcastle, who were missing striker Alexander Isak as he considers his future, scored with their first attack in the sixth minute.

New signing Anthony Elanga blasted the ball into the bottom corner after meeting a cross from Sandro Tonali.

But Arsenal overcame a shaky start, regaining their rhythm and control of the game.

Mikel Merino levelled in the 33rd minute from Kai Havertz`s flick.

Arsenal were ahead two minutes later when defender Alex Murphy fumbled the ball into his own net.

The Magpies almost conceded a third after the restart but had keeper Nick Pope to thank after he stopped a bicycle kick by Bukayo Saka.

Against the run of play, substitute Jacob Murphy levelled for Newcastle a minute later af ter his shot from outside the box sneaked past David Raya.

With the match seemingly headed for a draw, it was 15-year-old Max Dowman`s deep run into the box, where he was clipped by Joelinton, that proved to be the game-changer.

Odegaard made no mistake from the spot to give Arsenal their second win in Singapore following a 1-0 victory over AC Milan.

`Playing against Newcastle today wasn`t just a friendly. It was a real test,` said Arteta. `It gave us the chance to raise our competitiveness and physical level. There are still things we need to work on, like how we compete, understand our positions and show the willingness to win.

FERNANDES DOUBLE On SaturdayinNew Jersey, Bruno Fernandes scored twice as Manchester United kicked off their tour of the United States with a 2-1 win over West Ham United in the Premier League Summer Series tournament.

United skipper Fernandes punished two blunders by West Ham`s France international goalkeeper Alphonse Areola to seal victory for Ruben Amorim`s side in sweltering conditions at the MetLife Stadium.

Are ola was at fault for both of United`s goals and although Jarrod Bowen pulled a goal back for the Hammers, the London club never seriously troubled the 13-time Premier League champions.

`It`s good to win, even being a friendly we want to get every game to prepare ourselves in the best way and obviously go into the season in a positive way,` Fernandes told NBC Sports after the victory.

United`s new $87 million signing Bryan Mbeumo travelled with the team to the United States but did not feature in the matchday squad.

Bournemouth, meanwhile, cruised to a 3-0 victory over Everton in their opener earlier on Saturday at the same venue.

Goals from Philip Billing, Dango Outtara and Daniel Adu-Adjei sealed a comfortable win for Andoni Iraola`s Bournemouth side.-AFP