Newcastle United produced a dominant performance to eliminate Arsenal from the Carabao Cup with a decisive 2-0 victory at St. James' Park, securing the tie with a comfortable 4-0 aggregate win. The Magpies, buoyed by their fervent supporters, are now set to compete for the coveted trophy for the second time in three years. Arsenal's hopes for reaching the final were dashed as they struggled to find their rhythm against the relentless Newcastle side.
From the kickoff, Newcastle asserted their dominance, and it didn’t take long for them to threaten. An early goal from Alexander Isak was ruled offside after VAR intervention, setting the tone for the electric match. The Gunners had their moments too, as captain Martin Odegaard came inches away from giving his team the lead when he struck the post. Unfortunately for Arsenal, just seconds after Odegaard's near-miss, Jacob Murphy capitalized on the rebound from Isak's shot, putting Newcastle up 1-0 and leaving Arsenal reeling.
With the aggregate score now at 3-0, Arsenal struggled to muster any significant response. Newcastle continued to press high, nullifying Arsenal's attempts to build from the back. Newcastle's second goal came after David Raya misplayed the ball straight to Anthony Gordon, who doubled the lead and effectively ended any remaining hope of a comeback for the visitors.
Despite Arsenal's possession and attempts to dictate play, Newcastle's tactical prowess and physicality overwhelmed the Gunners throughout the 90 minutes. Newcastle's defenders, particularly Fabian Schar, showcased their strength by cutting off Arsenal's supply lines and stifling their offensive efforts. Newcastle's ability to execute their game plan left Arsenal visibly frustrated and fatigued.
After the match, Odegaard expressed disappointment over the team's failure to perform across both legs of the semi-finals. “It’s frustrating. We had a big goal to go to the final... but I think the way we played throughout the game and throughout the two legs we didn’t deserve it. We have to look at ourselves, improve and learn from it,” Odegaard reflected.
On the other hand, Newcastle's captain Bruno Guimaraes celebrated with exuberance, remarking, “It would be amazing to get a trophy, it is my dream to do this. We must thank the fans as well. Here we go, another final for the club.” His sentiments reflect the excitement surging through the Newcastle camp as they prepare for their forthcoming final.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe praised his team's tactics and execution, declaring, “It was a great night for us. It was a tough game but tactically we were good. The intention was to be aggressive, and today it did.” Howe highlighted the role of the fans and the importance of the win for the team’s morale.
Arsenal’s defeat marks yet another disappointment, extending their drought without significant silverware. With their last major trophy win coming long ago, the pressure will mount on Mikel Arteta and his squad to perform and deliver results as they aim for success in the Premier League and Champions League.
Looking forward, both teams have different paths. Newcastle revels in the prospect of silverware, finally hopeful to end their 70-year wait for domestic success, having last claimed it back in 1955. Meanwhile, Arsenal must regroup and reflect on their limitations, focusing on immediate improvements and revitalizing their league form to keep their title ambitions alive.
With the final now looming on the horizon, Newcastle United will head to Wembley with renewed hope and hunger, eager to make history. Arsenal, on the other hand, must dig deep to address the glaring issues exposed by their rivals.