Newcastle got an impressive and deserved result Winning over Arsenal 2-0 In the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final, on Tuesday evening, at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal wasted several promising chances in the first half-hour and were punished for their profligacy by Alexander Isak. The Newcastle striker scored his 15th goal of the season seven minutes before the end of the first half, as he fired a powerful shot past David Raya after a free kick.
Anthony Gordon doubled Newcastle's lead shortly after half-time and the Magpies were able to hold their own under mounting Arsenal pressure, ensuring they had a commanding lead at St James' Park in the second leg in early February.
How the game unfolded
Newcastle The team started the match strong in the capital, but it was the hosts who had the stronger chances at the beginning of the match. A series of brilliant blocks from the black and white shirts was followed by Jorren Timber heading over the bar from four yards with the goal gaping.
It took until just before the half hour mark Arsenal To fully flex their attacking muscles with a fluid movement that almost led to the opening goal. Two quick passes beat the Newcastle press and put Gabriel Martinelli on his way towards Martin Dubravka's goal, but the Brazilian's powerful shot rebounded off the post.
With the momentum shifting in Arsenal's favour, Newcastle scored. Sven Botman collected the initial pass from a free kick and passed to Jacob Murphy who slotted the ball into the path of the in-form Isak. The towering Swede made no mistake from close range, hitting the underside of the bar to give the Magpies the lead.
Arsenal almost entered the break, but Dubravka's extended save before the end of the first half denied the hosts a draw. Declan Rice's header at the far post accidentally fell to centre-back Gabriel, but the Brazilian was unable to flick the ball past the onrushing Newcastle keeper.
The Gunners were hoping for an immediate response after the start of the second half, but it was their visitors who doubled their lead six minutes after the end of the first half. Murphy picked out top scorer Isaac and forced striker Raya to save a low shot, and Gordon reacted before Timber and slotted the rebound effort into the empty net.
Kai Havertz had a great chance to reduce the deficit moments before the hour mark when a cross from Leandro Trossard fell to him unmarked in the six-yard box, but the returning German inexplicably missed his header as the ball bounced off his shoulder and out of the field. Goal kick.
Arsenal continued to put pressure on Newcastle's goal without putting Dubravka too much pressure, with Jorginho firing a promising chance over the bar in the final five minutes that summed up a frustrating evening for Arsenal.
Arsenal's creative struggles were clear to all at the Emirates Stadium, and they now face the very difficult challenge of overturning Newcastle's two-goal deficit at St James' Park in the second leg. If they can't, it will be another silver lining missed by Mikel Arteta.
Mikel Arteta's starting lineup highlighted the scale of Tuesday's duel. The Spaniard fielded the strongest starting XI available to him upon Newcastle's arrival, hoping to produce a more impressive and fluid performance than he put in at the weekend against Brighton & Hove Albion.
However, from the opening whistle, Arsenal found life difficult. Somewhat surprisingly, Newcastle employed a high-pressing style, forcing the home side into errors and limiting the time and space given to their talented attacking line.
Understandably, Newcastle took a more cautious stance once they were two goals up, dropping deeper and making a host of defensive-minded substitutions. However, Eddie Howe's side continued to stifle Arsenal, as they had no answer to the deep defensive line that stood in front of them.
The Gunners have sorely missed the indefatigable and creative Bukayo Saka, who will be sidelined through injury for the foreseeable future, and now has a mountain to climb ahead of the second leg. Without their magical winger, Arsenal suffocated on the big stage.
There has long been a narrative that Arsenal need a new striker if they are to go from being mere men to serial winners. Isak has been one of the names regularly mentioned in the gossip columns, and his impressive performances on Tyneside do not go unnoticed.
While Kai Havertz – and Gabriel Jesus in recent weeks – have occasionally papered over the cracks, Tuesday evening showed exactly what Arsenal have been missing during their difficult spells over the past few years.
Isaac, Which is said to cost £150 millionHe showed off his brilliance in front of an interested crowd, leading the line effectively from the first minute until his eventual substitution. He actually scored the winning goal League match in November He produced a similar finish to put Newcastle ahead, before setting up Newcastle's second goal with some great play at centre-forward. Meanwhile, Havertz missed a header from close range.
The Swedish international's overall play was hugely impressive, with bursts of pace and gazelle-like agility damaging Arsenal's experienced centre-back duo. If this was an audition to call north London his permanent home, he's nailed it.
Newcastle have had a relatively slow start to the season, but have come alive over the past month. Tuesday's victory was their seventh successive win in all competitions, with wins over Aston Villa, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and now Arsenal in their last four matches.
The Magpies have often saved their best performances for the Premier League giants this season – witness their 1-0 win over Arsenal earlier in the season – and they once again sparked excitement at the Emirates Stadium.
A spirited performance was worthy of a two-goal win, as Newcastle were ferocious in the final third, clinical in midfield and heroic in defence. The latter was particularly eye-catching, as block after block denied Arsenal their way back into the game.
If they reach the final, they will have no worries at Wembley, even if Liverpool are their opponent in the big event. They have shown their ability to consistently mix it up with the best and now have an excellent chance of ending their long trophy drought.
