Carabao Cup – Arsenal face imminent exit after defeat at Newcastle
Arsenal Falls to Newcastle 0-2 at Emirates in League Cup Semi-Final First Leg despite using the strongest squad.
Arsenal defeated at Newcastle as Carabao Cup campaign could fall drastically
Despite fielding their strongest lineup, Arsenal suffered a disappointing 0-2 defeat to Newcastle United in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final at Emirates Stadium on January 7.
Manager Mikel Arteta, viewing the League Cup as a potential stepping stone to tremendous success, started key players like David Raya, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Martin Ødegaard, Declan Rice, and Kai Havertz. However, this star-studded lineup could not secure an advantage ahead of the second leg at St. James’ Park on February 5.
Arsenal Dominates Stats but Lacks Cutting Edge
Arsenal controlled 70% of possession and took 23 shots, but only three were on target. In contrast, Newcastle had just seven attempts, four of which hit the target. The absence of Bukayo Saka and a top-tier striker was evident as Arsenal struggled to break through Newcastle’s defense.
The best chance for Arsenal came in the 57th minute when Kai Havertz missed a clear opportunity. Positioned unmarked in the box, he failed to connect properly with a header, sending the ball wide off his shoulder.
Newcastle’s Clinical Attack Seals the Win
Newcastle capitalized on their chances, with Swedish striker Alexander Isak playing a key role. In the 37th minute, goalkeeper Martin Dubravka launched a long ball into Arsenal’s box. After a scramble, Isak reacted quickly to score from close range, giving Newcastle the lead.
Isak, who has scored 50 goals across all competitions since joining Newcastle in August 2022, continues to shine. Only Erling Haaland (105) and Mohamed Salah (73) have more goals among Premier League players in the same period.
In the second half, Isak’s sharp movement set up Newcastle’s second goal. His angled shot forced a save from Raya, but Anthony Gordon pounced on the rebound, sealing the 2-0 victory. Gordon celebrated with a tribute to Thierry Henry’s iconic corner flag pose right in front of Arsenal fans at the Emirates.
Substitutions Fall Short for Arsenal while Newcastle is having their momentum
Arteta brought on Gabriel Jesus, Jorginho, and Oleksandr Zinchenko to turn the game around, but the changes failed to break Newcastle’s defensive resilience. Arsenal’s lack of depth on the bench was evident in their inability to mount a comeback.
Newcastle on a Winning Streak
Eddie Howe’s Newcastle extended their winning run to seven matches across all competitions, a streak that began after their 2-4 loss to Brentford on December 7. They will next face Bromley, a lower-league team, in the FA Cup third round on January 12.
Tough Schedule Ahead for Arsenal
Arsenal faces two challenging home games next: Manchester United in the FA Cup third round on January 12 and Tottenham in the Premier League on January 15. Arteta’s squad must regroup quickly to stay competitive in multiple tournaments.
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