Arsenal XI vs Newcastle: Mosquera debut, confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injury latest for friendly

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Evening Standard

·25. Juli 2025

Arsenal XI vs Newcastle: Mosquera debut, confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injury latest for friendly

Gabriel and Jurrien Timber could miss out again

Your matchday briefing on Arsenal, featuring team news and expert analysis from Simon Collings

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Cristhian Mosquera could make his Arsenal debut when the Gunners take on Newcastle this weekend.

The defender completed his move to Arsenal on Thursday, moving to Emirates Stadium from Valencia as part of a deal worth an initial £13million.

Mosquera has travelled out to Singapore to join up with the Arsenal squad and has already trained with them.

The centre-back will now hope to feature and make his debut on Sunday, when Mikel Arteta’s side face Newcastle in a friendly at Singapore’s National Stadium.

Arsenal kicked off their pre-season tour of Asia on Wednesday by beating AC Milan, with Bukayo Saka scoring the only goal of the game.

Gabriel missed the match and Arsenal explained on their website that was because he is still continuing with his rehabilitation after undergoing hamstring surgery in April.

Fellow defender Jurrien Timber was also not part of the squad. He was forced to have surgery in May to solve an ankle issue.

Mikel Arteta confirmed on Friday, the pair are still not in training - but they hope to be back in action next week.

“Gabi, he felt a little niggle the other day in training and we didn’t want to any risk,” said Arteta. “And hopefully in the next week or so he is going to be available to train and play again.

“And with Jurrien, he is getting very close. He’s almost ticked every box that we needed after the surgery, and the period of rehab that he needed.

“I think in the next few days he is going to start joining the team again.”

In Timber’s absence, Ben White should start at right-back and Jakub Kiwior may get the nod in the heart of defence, potentially alongside new signing Mosquera.

In midfield, Martin Zubimendi impressed off the bench against AC Milan and so could start with his former Real Sociedad team-mates Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino.

In attack, Kai Havertz is the only out-and-out striker available to Arteta at the moment and so he could continue to lead the line.

Leandro Trossard and Saka may be the wingers, with Gabriel Martinelli quiet after starting against AC Milan.

Arsenal will likely give youngsters opportunities in the game, including 15-year-olds Marli Salmon and Max Dowman.

Predicted Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Kepa; White, Mosquera, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Merino; Saka, Havertz, Trossard

Time and date: 12:30pm GMT, Sunday July 27

Venue: National Stadium, Singapore

Injured: Gabriel Jesus (knee)