Newcastle United are on the verge of reaching the Carabao Cup final after securing a memorable 2-0 victory over Arsenal in the first leg of their semi-final. The win, which could set up a return to Wembley for the Magpies, was largely thanks to Alexander Isak, whose brace his 10th goal in his last nine appearances was the difference on a night when Arsenal struggled to break down Newcastle’s resolute defense.
Isak opened the scoring just before halftime with a clinical finish following a long free-kick from goalkeeper Martin Dubravka. The ball was flicked on by Sven Botman, and Isak latched onto the pass to beat Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya. Despite a strong start from Arsenal, who had 23 attempts at goal, only three were on target, and their finishing left much to be desired. Arsenal had early chances, with Jurriën Timber and Gabriel Martinelli both missing golden opportunities, while Martinelli also hit the post in the first half.
Newcastle’s defense, led by Dubravka, stood firm, and the visitors extended their lead early in the second half. Isak was involved again, linking up with Jacob Murphy for a clever one-two that saw his shot parried by Raya, allowing Anthony Gordon to tap in the rebound into an empty net. Arsenal’s frustration grew, and despite introducing Gabriel Jesus off the bench, they couldn’t find a way back into the game. A missed header from Kai Havertz with the goal at his mercy summed up Arsenal’s night.
Newcastle, on a five-match winning streak in the Premier League, had reconfigured their midfield to accommodate Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimarães, but with the latter suspended, Joe Willock an Arsenal academy graduate stepped in and performed admirably. Eddie Howe’s team showed resilience and clinical finishing, making the most of their limited chances.
Arsenal, already struggling with injuries to key players like Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri, now face an uphill battle in the second leg at St James’ Park. With only a slim chance of overturning the deficit, Mikel Arteta’s hopes of winning a second major trophy with Arsenal look distant. On the other hand, Newcastle’s supporters, who celebrated with their team after the final whistle, are already dreaming of another trip to London in March for the final.
This Carabao Cup tie has given Newcastle the perfect opportunity to end their long wait for a major domestic trophy, which dates back to their FA Cup win in 1955. With their impressive form and a two-goal advantage, the Magpies are poised to make another appearance in a final, much to the delight of their loyal fans.
