Arsenal 0-2 Newcastle (Isak 38′, Gordon 51′)
EMIRATES STADIUM — When attempting to explain Arsenal‘s profligacy against Newcastle, Mikel Arteta landed upon an unusual target.
“We kicked a lot of balls over the bar, and it’s tricky that these balls fly a lot,” he said of the Puma Orbita being used in this season’s Carabao Cup.
“It’s very different to a Premier League ball, and you have to adapt to that because it flies differently.”
Naturally, Arteta’s complaints evoked memories of the Jabulani, the controversial 2010 World Cup ball beloved by Diego Forlan and disliked by pretty much everyone else.
Like Forlan during that South African summer, Alexander Isak didn’t seem to have too much trouble with the equipment on Tuesday night.
Isak is so often name-dropped as the perfect striker to elevate Arsenal to the next level that a masterclass at the Emirates felt inevitable, especially given his recent form. Fittingly given the setting, the Swede morphed into Thierry Henry for the night.
The 25-year-old had two shots, both of which ultimately led to goals: he scored the first, lashing an attempt in off the underside of the bar, while the second forced David Raya into a save with Anthony Gordon gobbling up the rebound.
Arsenal’s four starting attackers – Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and Martin Odegaard – missed with all 12 of their combined efforts. It was a night of contrasting efficiency, as Arteta acknowledged.
“It’s not a result that reflects the story of the game but the reality is that they were super efficient with the chances that they had and we weren’t,” he said.
Arsenal dominated the stats in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final: they had 23 shots to Newcastle’s seven; an xG of 3.12; 11 corners to one; 70 per cent possession. But their visitors produced the numbers that mattered, scoring two goals to Arsenal’s none.
The Gunners have risen from mid-table mediocrity to top-of-the-table challengers during the Arteta years but throughout their transformation, there has been a nagging doubt over whether they have the ruthlessness to become winners.
Although Arteta pointed out that questions over his side’s cutting edge were absent after they thumped Crystal Palace 5-1 last month, goal-shy performances like this are too frequent. Less than a month ago, Everton held them at home.
Bukayo Saka’s absence is massive, but Arteta’s decision to hand the in-form Gabriel Jesus a breather backfired. By the time the Brazilian was summoned, Arsenal already trailed 2-0 and Newcastle were content to defend what they had.
Inevitably, Isak was the main protagonist as Newcastle secured their seventh win in a row to make their long-awaited trophy dreams feel more real.
A forward on fire strikes fear into defenders and Arsenal’s usually ice-cold centre-backs were left feeling flush by Isak’s speed, movement and footwork.
Gabriel and William Saliba knew they were in a game in the opening 15 minutes.
Isak breached Gabriel’s hopeful high line with a well-timed run to produce the game’s first big chance which was squandered wastefully by Joelinton.
Then he skipped past Saliba and flashed a cross along the six-yard box which Lewis Hall turned goalwards with Gabriel making the block.
When Isak was eventually presented with his own chance he made no mistake with the finish. Sven Botman beat Saliba to a header, Jacob Murphy nudged the loose ball into Isak’s path and he shrugged off Odegaard to score.
It was Isak’s 10th goal in his last nine games and 15th for the season overall.
More significantly it took him into Newcastle’s half-century club. Only two players – Andrew Cole and Les Ferdinand – have reached that milestone quicker than he has. He’s hit the bullseye in five fewer games than Alan Shearer.
The great irony of Newcastle’s opener is that it came via a set-piece against an opponent lauded for them.
Martin Dubravka flapped helplessly at two Declan Rice inswingers but Jurrien Timber missed the first from barely three yards out before Botman blocked from Havertz after a goalmouth scramble.
Martinelli squandered a golden opportunity from open play when the score was level too, hitting the post following an electric burst from halfway.
Arsenal’s inefficiency was punished further five minutes after the restart when Gordon got Newcastle’s second to put them in full command of the tie.
One moment, though, more than any other, summed up the difference between the team’s forwards.
Havertz found himself all alone in front of goal but mistimed his header and ended up shouldering an attempt wide. For all of his strengths, Havertz is not and never will be a killer in the Isak mould.
Perhaps reinforcements will be forthcoming this month to turbo-boost Arsenal’s faltering title bid and maybe salvage the second leg which takes place at St James’ Park on 5 February.
“Hopefully yes,” Arteta said, tapping the desk with both hands when asked if Arsenal will be in a stronger position by the end of the transfer window.
“Hopefully we will have more players back and more options to do that. We have some important games coming up.”
With Callum Wilson injured again, Eddie Howe took Isak off, revealing afterwards that he was “feeling his hamstring a bit”.
More than one Arsenal fan behind the Newcastle dugout implored the striker to “come to Arsenal” as he took his place on the bench.
With the Magpies one step from Wembley, he will be quite happy to stay where he is; Arsenal will have to find another solution to a familiar problem.
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