ARSENAL fans will have nightmares AND Swede dreams – after Alexander Isak turned their Carabao Cup hopes sour.
Gunners‘ supporters would love to see Mikel Arteta sign the £150million-rated striker – as he showed just what they are missing.
Unfortunately for Arsenal, he did it by firing Newcastle to a 2-0 semi-final first leg win at the Emirates.
It’s been 70 years since the Magpies last won a major domestic cup, 56 years since any trophy at all.
But after this victory you’d put your money on Newcastle being just one month away from the Carabao Cup final.
Swedish hitman Isak slotted a clinical opener and Anthony Gordon set them up promisingly for the return leg at St James’ Park on February 5 by doubling their victory margin early in the second period.
There’s still plenty to do for the Magpies but Eddie Howe‘s men are looking good in more ways than one to make Wembley on March 16.
Newcastle lost 2-0 to Manchester United in the 2023 final.
But at the moment the Toon are flowing, whereas Arteta’s side were a major disappointment.
Despite that, the Gunners were pretty unlucky to be trailing at the break.
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Arsenal had a fair few chances before the interval, Gabriel Martinelli hitting the post, but they were really poor in the second half.
Newcastle did enough, with Isak taking his tally to seven goals in the last five games and 50 since joining from Real Sociedad in 2022.
Once again Jacob Murphy delivered the assist. The English winger has been unbelievable this season for the Toon.
It’s his best campaign since arriving seven years ago for £12 million and Isak must relish playing with him.
You can see why Arsenal fans watching this semi-final would have been wishing Isak played for their team.
He’s got Thierry Henry-style qualities – a class player, getting better each week and the reason Newcastle have got such a great chance of ending their trophy drought.
Isak is also why the Magpies are serious contenders for a top-four finish.
They’re helped by the fact their defence is playing really well.
Newcastle were really solid at the Emirates, particularly in the second period.
Dan Burn, at 32, is arguably having his finest campaign.
And Sven Botman, in only his second game since returning from an ACL injury picked up in March, headed a flick-on which led to Isak’s opener.
The Dutch centre-back looked a bit rusty in Saturday’s 2-1 Prem win at Tottenham but was immense on Tuesday night.
Howe is in the fortunate position that he can actually rest a few players against Bromley in the FA Cup on Sunday.
In contrast, Arteta is badly missing Bukayo Saka and faces another massive cup game at home to Manchester United on the same day.
Arsenal are really struggling in terms of a jam-packed January.
It’s nine matches so far, which is an extraordinary number of fixtures, but they’ve got to somehow overcome it.
At the moment, however, they look flat.
Supporters were streaming out of the exits against Newcastle with about ten minutes to go, and they need someone to lift them.
Ordinarily you’d say that man would be Saka, but the Gunners have got to get used to being without him for a couple more months.
Meanwhile, it’s seven wins in a row for the Magpies and they’re absolutely flying.
Arsenal ratings vs Newcastle as Havertz fluffs golden chance with academy statlet the only bright light for Gunners
ARSENAL have a mountain to climb to reach the Carabao Cup final after a shock 2-0 first-leg defeat to Newcastle.
Here SunSport’s Jordan Davies rates every Arsenal player on a disappointing night at the Emirates…
DAVID RAYA – 6/10
Looked nervy with ball at feet at times but could do nothing to stop Alexander Isak’s brilliant close-range finish.
Unlucky to see his palmed save tapped in by Anthony Gordon.
MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY – 8
The academy product was very impressive again. Turned out of danger well at both ends of the pitch. So calm under pressure.
GABRIEL – 6
Gave Isak far too much space to manoeuvre a shot in the box before the Toon’s second. Wasteful and ineffective from corners.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 6
Had an early effort blocked near the line by Dan Burn. Was dealing with Isak well until losing a header to Sven Botman that saw the Toon striker score.
JURRIEN TIMBER – 5
Missed an absolute sitter from a yard out from a corner.
Was then caught sleeping just after the break to allow Gordon to double Newcastle’s lead.
THOMAS PARTEY – 6
Linked defence and attack fairly well without ever really doing anything spectacular.
DECLAN RICE – 6
Plays Jacob Murphy onside from a flicked on free-kick that leads to Newcastle taking the lead.
Took more responsibility in the second half on the ball.
MARTIN ODEGAARD – 7
Heavily man-marked by Joelinton but looked back to his very best after a spate of illness.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 8
Much more direct in his running. Unlucky not to open the scoring with his driven shot hitting the post after a half-way line sprint.
Continued to be positive in his play – just lacked the finishing touch.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 6
Sneakily got away with dragging Isak down to stop the Swede joining a Newcastle counter in the first half and a good first-time pass to set Martinelli away. Those were his only highlights.
KAI HAVERTZ – 5
May just be back from a sickness bug, but the big German did very little, apart from somehow fluffing a header wide unmarked from six yards.
SUBS:
JORGINHO (PARTEY, 59) – 7
Some nice passes into dangerous areas and sprayed the ball about with conviction.
GABRIEL JESUS (TROSSARD, 59) – 6
Lively and sharp without every really testing Newcastle’s back four or goal.
OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO (LEWIS-SKELLY, 77) – 5
Booked within a minute of coming on for a rash challenge on Joelinton.
