Newcastle United secured a commanding 2-0 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on January 24, 2024, taking control of the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final. This result marks another chapter for the Magpies as they strive for their first-ever League Cup title, having last lifted silverware back in 1969.
The pivotal moments of the match came from standout performances, particularly from Newcastle's Alexander Isak. The 25-year-old striker opened the scoring early on, netting his tenth goal in just nine games after capitalizing on Jacob Murphy's assist following a lengthy free-kick. This goal set the tone for what would become a challenging outing for Arsenal, whose fans had high hopes of taking the lead.
Arsenal, led by manager Mikel Arteta, had early chances, including headers from Jurrien Timber and Gabriel Martinelli, the latter hitting the post during what was shaping up to be a tense encounter. The Gunners' disappointment would deepen when Newcastle doubled their lead six minutes after the break, with Anthony Gordon scoring on the rebound after Isak’s initial effort was saved by Arsenal’s goalkeeper, David Raya.
Despite pressure and relentless attacking from Arsenal, Newcastle's defense, anchored by the likes of Dan Burn and Sven Botman, held firm. Their resilience paid off as they maintained their clean sheet, marking their seventh consecutive win across all competitions.
Post-match reactions highlighted the team's unyielding spirit. "It was tough for us in many respects, but I’m really pleased with how we played," commented Newcastle manager Eddie Howe. He particularly praised Isak's impact, describing him as "electric" during the first half and expressing confidence about the team's defensive organization. "Our mentality to defend our goal with blocked shots was great for us moving forward," he noted.
Defender Dan Burn echoed his manager's sentiments, stating, "To get a result here you need to defend set-pieces. Everyone defended brilliant. It’s only half done—we know they’ll come at us full force in the second leg.”
Isak himself shared thoughts on the collective effort, saying, “I think it came down to a team thing. We have been solid defensively and then we have the quality up front.” He expressed satisfaction with their strategy and results but also signaled to focus on the upcoming challenge at St James’ Park.
Newcastle's winning run has undeniably bolstered their ambitions both for domestic glory and potential European qualification, having climbed to fifth place in the Premier League. Meanwhile, Arsenal, suffering their first defeat in 14 matches, faces immediate challenges with upcoming fixtures, including their FA Cup tie against Manchester United and the North London Derby.
Both teams now have four weeks to prepare for the decisive second leg on February 5, 2024, where Newcastle will hope to carry their momentum forward and secure their place at Wembley. Arsenal, on the other hand, must regroup and mount what could be seen as their last stand for League Cup glory.
This semi-final clash has underscored Newcastle's resurgence under Howe, with fans now dreaming of ending their long trophy drought—a reality they hope will come true following their strong performance against the Gunners.