The irony will surely not be lost on Mikel Arteta. On a night when his side were hoping to get one foot in the Carabao Cup final, it was Alexander Isak – a striker the Arsenal manager has long coveted – who did the damage as Newcastle claimed a famous victory.
It was nothing less than Eddie Howe’s side deserved as they bid to reach the final again after the heartbreak of defeat to Manchester United at Wembley in 2023. Goals either side of mid -Isak’s time – his 10th in his last nine appearances – and Anthony Gordon ensured they go into next month’s second leg at St James’ Park with a healthy advantage.
Although Arsenal had their chances, referee John Brooks had no need to explain VAR decisions to the crowd in a move tested in the semi-final as the hosts struggled to respond after falling behind. Their hopes of winning a second major trophy since he took charge now seem distant, but Newcastle fans can almost start planning another trip to London in March.
The strength of the two starting XIs reflects how far this competition has moved up the priority lists of both clubs. Arsenal’s situation has been dictated by a lack of options in attack after the muscle injury suffered by teenager Ethan Nwaneri against Brighton saw him join Bukayo Saka on the sidelines. There was better news for Arteta: Kai Havertz had recovered sufficiently to return in place of Gabriel Jesus up front, with the recalls of captain Martin Ødegaard, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Gabriel Martinelli, who remained on the left flank while Leandro Trossard took over from Saka. usual role on the right.
Newcastle’s change in fortunes coincided with a reconfiguration of their midfield to accommodate Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimarães. But the Brazilian’s suspension saw Howe turn to Joe Willock – another Arsenal academy graduate who was allowed to leave north London by Arteta in 2021.
With his team in such good form, Howe recognized that this competition could be their best chance of ending the quest for a major domestic trophy which infamously dates back to their FA Cup victory in 1955. However, they faced a Arsenal team desperate to lose. their title as almost the men and the hosts showed their intentions when William Saliba’s shot on goal was blocked by Dan Burn inside the six-yard box during a frantic opening period.
Jurriën Timber should have made more use of Declan Rice’s corner which flew over Martin Dubravka’s head and left him facing Lewis Hall at the far post but, much to the chagrin of set-piece coach Nicolas Jover, he could not direct the head towards the target. Hall had Newcastle’s first serious effort when his shot was blocked and Tonali fired the rebound well over the crossbar. A sumptuous pass from Isak almost created another opening for Jacob Murphy, although the visitors then had to hold on as Arsenal pressed forward. Martinelli hit a post as it was brilliantly played in by Ødegaard before Newcastle somehow broke away from a corner when Dubravka beat the ball and completely missed.
But the 6,000 traveling supporters at the Clock End were able to celebrate when the Newcastle keeper launched a free-kick forward and it was tipped in by Sven Botman. Murphy’s touch placed the ball perfectly into Isak’s path and from that moment on the result was in no doubt as his finish into the roof of the net left David Raya with no chance.
Arsenal looked shocked but almost hit back when a free-kick just before half-time fell to Gabriel Magalhães, but Dubravka did well to react quickly. There was even greater concern for Arsenal when Trossard entered the tunnel at half-time after being caught by Gordon. Things didn’t exactly go as planned for Arteta.
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It was a surprise when the Belgian striker reappeared in the second half, but his team quickly found themselves two goals down after more brilliance from Isak. A clever one-two with Murphy brought him inside the box and his shot was parried by Raya straight into the path of Gordon, who tapped into the empty net to the delight of the fans behind the goal .
Arsenal were living on the edge and only just managed to repel a dangerous cross from Tonali. Arteta’s head was in his hands when Havertz somehow managed to make contact with his shoulder with the goal gaping after the ball bounced off Trossard’s cross. The Arsenal manager turned to Jesus – the hat-trick hero of their quarter-final win over Crystal Palace – from the bench, but his first act was to head over another Rice corner as It seemed easier to score.
Howe sacrificed Murphy and Isak as Newcastle attempted to close shop, Joelinton blocking a Jorginho shot before Martinelli headed wide of the target with the follow-up.
But that and the Italian midfielder’s late effort which went over Dubravka’s bar were about to find a way back into that tie to leave Newcastle on the verge of another finals appearance.
theguardian