Arsenal 0-2 Newcastle: Magpies shock Gunners in first leg of Carabao Cup semi-final – as Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon strike to give them priceless lead in tie
Here’s a look at what you could have won, Arsenal.
Alexander Isak – Newcastle’s supreme centre-forward, who is emerging as one of the deadliest goalscorers in Europe.
And Anthony Gordon – the multi-faceted England forward whose reputation as one of this country’s most impressive attacking talents is burgeoning.
Both players have been courted by Arsenal over the past 12 months. Both struck ruthlessly here to plunge a dagger into the Gunners’ Carabao Cup hopes.
It’s only half-time, of course – and Arsenal – being Arsenal – will believe they can complete a euphoric turnaround at St James’ Park in the second leg.
But on the evidence of this showing, they haven’t a cat in hells chance of scaling this mountain.
Newcastle shocked Arsenal in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Tuesday night
Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak got themselves on the scoresheet for the Magpies
Mikel Arteta’s side will have to overturn a 2-0 deficit heading into next month’s second leg
Not if they let Isak run riot like he did here.
That’s not to say this was a one man show. Far from it. This was a Newcastle performance bursting with ability, discipline, work-ethic and pride.
Isak’s blistering showing was merely the icing on the cake.
Arsenal will know they have an extra gear – maybe two – to find. This wasn’t a display in keeping with the reputation Mikel Arteta has built here.
If they can find those levels, then they can head north with hope in their hearts. But this was a bruising night for them.
But not fatal; they will cling on to that optimism.
The first half whizzed by. Breathless stuff. The EFL Cup in – in its various guises over the years – has taken a battering.
People even say playing at Wembley doesn’t mean as much as did. Trying telling that to the 29 players that played here.
Isak put the visitors ahead in the first half ahead when he slotted home Jacob Murphy’s pass
It was the in-form Swedish forward’s 10th goal in his last nine games across all competitions
Try telling that to the jam-packed Emirates crowd who were gripped and hyped from the very start.
Try telling that to Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Lewis Hall and Gabriel Martinelli, who were all agonised after missing first-half opportunities to open the scoring.
Try telling that to Isak – who did open the scoring. Winning trophies matter – and playing Wembley is still as magical as it ever was.
Arsenal’s start to the game was rip-roaring. Declan Rice’s inswinging corners were causing Newcastle all world of trouble – Timber should really have dispatched a header in the 13th minute from his teammate’s whipped set-piece.
Indeed, for the opening 20 minutes, it was all hands to pump for the Geordies as Arsenal tried to seize the first-leg initiative.
But gradually Newcastle grew. As did the decibel level from the away end after Hall’s effort was blocked after brilliant centre forward play from Isak.
Arsenal’s early flow had been stifled. Joelinton’s clear remit of sticking onto Arsenal’s captain Martin Odegaard like white on rice integral to Newcastle finding their feet.
Yet had Martinelli not struck the post with just Martin Dubravka to beat following Leandro Trossard’s sumptuous touch in the 29th minute then, perhaps, the opening 45 minutes would have developed in Arsenal’s favour.
The Gunners dominated much of the game but were often wasteful in front of goal
Gordon made it two in the second period when he reacted first after Raya saved an Isak shot
But it didn’t – thanks to Isak.
Route one at its most effective; Dubravka’s drilled punt forward flicked on by Sven Botman, diverted by Jacob Murphy and hammered home by the Newcastle’s Swedish predator.
Arsenal’s interest in Isak is no secret. If the finances are achievable then there’s every chance Isak will be wheeling away in celebration at the Emirates more frequently next season.
But that’s for then. The present is far more pressing.
Gabriel Magalhaes was thwarted at the end of the first half as Arsenal strived to pull level.
The instructions from Arteta at half-time became abundantly clear during the opening the stages of the second period.
The pace was slower, far more controlled by the Gunners. Like chalk and cheese in comparison to the whirlwind first-half.
It made sense for Arsenal to take the sting out the game. Going toe-to-toe with Newcastle didn’t reap the rewards they’d hoped in the first half.
Newcastle put in an outstanding defensive performance throughout the 90 minutes
As it happens, nor did the second half approach. Again Isak took centre stage, some how, with three Arsenal players round him, forcing David Raya into a save to leave Anthony Gordon the simple task of tapping home at the back post.
Newcastle were euphoric. It’s a long journey down to London from up there. The return trip won’t seem quite so arduous after this.
Arsenal – simply put – couldn’t deal with Isak. Saliba and Magalhaes are a formidable pairing. Isak was making them look ordinary here.
Kai Havertz missed a glorious opportunity just before the hour to half the deficit. Unmarked from six yards he headed wide; replays showed his effort actually came off his shoulder.
Arteta had seen enough, the Spaniard threw on in form Gabriel Jesus and Jorginho in hope of responding.
But Newcastle’s defending was dogged. Backs to the wall – one sequence of play in the 68th minute that saw central midfielder Sandro Tonali and Joelinton throwing their bodies at the same ball typifying their spirit.
Arsenal toiled, rather than impressed, in attack. That should concern Arteta moving forward.
Martin Dubravka had to be alert in the Newcastle goal to ensure he kept a clean sheet
It was a bruising night for the Gunners though as they continued to struggle in front of goal
The Gunners boss would have been glad to see the back of Isak in the 65th minute. What a footballer he is.
You’d hazard a guess that Arsenal won’t be the only club in the mix to sign the super Scandinavian ahead of next season.
But Arsenal’s need for a new striker is clear. Adding Isak to this team would give them a brand new, frightening, dimension.
For now, though, Arsenal can only dream. Newcastle, on the other hand; their Wembley dream is close to becoming a reality.
