Arsenal 0-2 Newcastle: The Gunners suffer first blow
Arsenal 0-2 Newcastle: The Gunners suffer first blow. Arsenal were at the receiving end as Newcastle secured an impressive and deserved 2-0 win over them in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Tuesday evening at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal couldn’t utilize their several promising chances in the opening half-hour and were made to pay for it by Alexander Isak. The Newcastle striker netted his 15th goal of the season seven minutes from the break, firing past David Raya with assurance following a free kick.
Anthony Gordon then doubled the visitors advantage shortly after half-time and the Magpies were able to hold firm under increasing Arsenal pressure, ensuring they take a commanding lead back to St James’ Park for the second leg in early February.
How the game unfolded:
Newcastle began with intensity in the capital, but it was Arsenal who carved out the more dangerous chances in the early stages. A series of heroic blocks from Newcastle’s defenders kept the hosts at bay before Jurrien Timber squandered a golden opportunity, heading over from close range with the goal at his mercy.
Arsenal began to assert themselves just before the half-hour mark, showcasing their attacking quality. A slick passing sequence bypassed Newcastle’s press, sending Gabriel Martinelli through on goal. However, the Brazilian’s thunderous strike cannoned off the post, leaving the scoreline unchanged.
Despite Arsenal’s growing dominance, it was Newcastle who broke the deadlock. Sven Botman’s flick-on from a free kick found Jacob Murphy, who deftly set up Alexander Isak. The Swedish striker hammered the ball in off the underside of the crossbar to give the visitors a vital lead.
Arsenal nearly equalized on the stroke of halftime, but Martin Dubravka produced a stunning save to deny Gabriel’s close-range effort after Declan Rice’s header fell kindly for the defender.
Hopes of a quick Arsenal response after the break were dashed as Newcastle struck again just six minutes into the second half. Isak’s low shot forced a save from David Raya, but Anthony Gordon was quickest to react, poking the rebound into an empty net to double the Magpies’ advantage.
Kai Havertz had a chance to cut the deficit shortly before the hour mark, but the German misjudged his header from Leandro Trossard’s deflected cross, the ball glancing off his shoulder and out for a goal kick.
Arsenal ramped up the pressure as the match wore on but struggled to test Dubravka. Their frustrations were summed up late on when Jorginho blazed a promising opportunity over the bar.
With creativity lacking and chances squandered, Arsenal now face the daunting task of overturning a two-goal deficit in the second leg at St James’ Park. Failure to do so would mean yet another missed opportunity for silverware under Mikel Arteta.
