Arsenal complicated things for themselves in the EFL Cup semi-final round one after going down 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium. This was Arsenal’s first defeat at the Emirates since April 2024 when Aston Villa defeated the club 2-0.
Mikel Arteta was hugely exposed with his forward line and lack of a proper centre forward. It is still regrettable that Arsenal had a total of 23 shots on goal while Newcastle had just 7 shots on goal and still managed to beat the Gunners because of Alexander Isak who is a proper centre forward.
Jacob Murphy gave Alexander Isak a good pass in the first half and the clinical finisher continued with his good goal scoring record this season. He opened the score line in the first half. The first half ended 1-0 in favor of Newcastle United.
Things became sour for Arsenal in the second half as Newcastle United continued to excel in their performance. Alexander Isak teamed up with Anthony Gordon and the visitors got the second goal. This made it tough for Arsenal to even make a comeback into the game.
Arsenal’s forward line was short of fires as the Gunners were not blazing at all. Kai Havertz was like a shadow of himself. Gabriel Martinelli was also very wasteful and it was very evident, nothing was moving for the Gunners at all despite the fact that they were having the full support of their fans.
Mikel Arteta then made some substitutions but nothings still happened. He brought in Gabriel Jesus in place of Leandro Trossard, Jorginho in place of Thomas Partey and Oleksandr Zinchenko in place of Myles Lewis-Skelly.
The game ended 2-0 in favor of Newcastle United and this was a huge win for them in the first round of the Carabao Cup semi-final. It will be very tough for Arsenal to climb the ladder and first be on level terms before scoring goals that will help them to reach the finals of the Carabao Cup.
This will also be very tough because the return leg will be played at the home ground of Newcastle United. Things are now complicated for the Gunners as it is not very clear if they will beat Newcastle United going with how the forward line is very blunt and not firing at all.
