Newcastle United secured a historic 2-0 victory over Arsenal in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final, marking the first time they have beaten and scored against the North London club in this competition. The win was particularly significant as it ended Newcastle's decade-long wait for victory at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium. The match took place against the backdrop of both teams entering strong form, with Newcastle riding high from five consecutive league wins.
This latest victory means Newcastle United has now scored at least two goals for nine matches running, equaling the club's second-longest streak ever recorded, only surpassed back in February 1961. <?xml version="1.0"?> To add salt to the wounds for the Gunners, this defeat marks their first loss at home since April 2023. Ironically, this was also the first time Arsenal conceded more than one goal at home since their earlier match against Aston Villa last season.
Eddie Howe’s side has evidently learned from past disappointments, having suffered 12 defeats and only one draw against Arsenal during their recent travels to the capital. Howe noted the significance of the victory: "On what was his 150th game in charge of Newcastle United... he recorded his 74th win," emphasizing just how far the team has come under his management.
The match itself saw Newcastle dominate the midfield and make effective use of counter-attacks. Alexander Isak, who hit the 50 goals mark for Newcastle on the night, continues to impress, having scored consistently since his arrival. Reportedly, only Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah have surpassed him among Premier League players since his debut. His ability to turn up when it matters was instrumental to Newcastle's success.
Another impressive performer for Newcastle was Anthony Gordon, who has either scored or assisted in his last seven matches. His form has been key for Newcastle, which has now found resilience even without influential midfielder Bruno Guimarães, who was suspended. Observations from the game indicated the manner of Newcastle's play signifies confidence and tactical discipline.
Looking at Arsenal's side, they were left reeling from the defeat and compounded by the absence of key players, including Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling, due to injuries. This limited Mikel Arteta's options and forced him to adapt his game plan. Arsenal had 23 shots yet managed to get only three on target, reflecting both Newcastle's solid defense and their own struggles to capitalize effectively.
The semi-final holds immense importance for both clubs. For Newcastle, it's been 70 years since they lifted their last major domestic trophy, and they seem determined to end this drought. Conversely, Arsenal remains focused on multiple competitions left this season, including the Premier League and Champions League, which may lead to questions about how seriously they contest the EFL Cup.
With the second leg awaiting at St. James’ Park on February 5, the stage is set for another thrilling confrontation. If the earlier match was any indication, both teams will surely be eager to either continue the winning momentum or redeem themselves after this pivotal first leg.