The anticipation was palpable as Newcastle United prepared to host Arsenal in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final, with both teams aiming to secure a place in the final at Wembley. This match was set against a backdrop of contrasting recent forms, with Eddie Howe’s Newcastle holding a solid advantage from the first leg, having triumphed 2-0 away at the Emirates Stadium. The victory in North London had come courtesy of two well-taken goals, one by Alexander Isak and the other by Anthony Gordon, which left the Magpies in a strong position as they prepared to return to St. James’ Park for the decisive encounter.
However, Newcastle’s recent form was not entirely unblemished. Their victory over Arsenal had been followed by a 2-1 defeat at home to Fulham in the Premier League, a result that had raised some concerns. Although Howe’s men had enjoyed a fantastic start to the season, their recent form had shown a slight dip, and they would need to find their best performance if they were to hold off a determined Arsenal side.
On the other hand, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal were in excellent spirits following a 5-1 thrashing of Manchester City in their last outing. That win had extended their unbeaten run to six matches, and despite the setback in the first leg of the semi-final, the Gunners were determined to overturn the deficit. With their eyes firmly set on closing the gap on Liverpool in the Premier League title race, Arteta’s men were sure to bring the same intensity and focus that had seen them thrive against the reigning champions just days earlier.
As the match kicked off at St. James’ Park, the stakes were high. A large crowd of passionate Newcastle supporters filled the stands, their hopes of reaching the final buoyed by their team’s strong performance in the first leg. Arsenal, meanwhile, were under pressure, needing to score at least two goals to force extra time and three to complete a remarkable comeback.
The first half saw both teams come out with clear intentions. Arsenal dominated possession early on, as they looked to control the tempo of the game and create opportunities to break down the Newcastle defense. The visitors, however, were resolute in their defensive setup, with Fabian Schär and Sven Botman standing firm against the waves of pressure.
Newcastle, despite Arsenal’s possession, was looking dangerous on the counter-attack. In the 4th minute, they took the lead. Alexander Isak, who had been excellent in the first leg, showed his class once again. A beautifully executed shot from the Swedish striker beat Arsenal’s goalkeeper David Raya and found the back of the net. The St. James’ Park crowd erupted in celebration, and Newcastle extended their aggregate lead to 3-0.
But Arsenal wasn’t about to roll over. They responded well to the setback and began to create their own chances. A few minutes after conceding, they thought they had found the equalizer. Gabriel Martinelli’s low cross found the feet of Eddie Nketiah, but the striker’s shot was blocked, and the ball ricocheted off the post. It was a fortunate escape for Newcastle, but the pressure from Arsenal was mounting.
Despite Arsenal’s territorial advantage, Newcastle continued to look more dangerous in the attacking third. Jacob Murphy, who had been lively throughout the match, nearly doubled the lead for Newcastle in the 19th minute. After Isak’s shot was saved and rebounded, Murphy pounced on the loose ball and slotted it home, putting the hosts ahead by 1-0 on the night (3-0 on aggregate). The goal seemed to signal the end of Arsenal’s hopes of a comeback as the visitors struggled to find their rhythm.
As the half progressed, Arsenal’s task grew increasingly difficult. Not only were they trailing 3-0 on aggregate, but they were also facing injuries. Martinelli, one of their key attacking players, appeared to suffer a significant injury, leaving the pitch in visible pain. His departure was a blow to the Gunners, who were already struggling to break down the well-organized Newcastle defense. In his place, young Ethan Nwaneri came on, though his introduction was unlikely to have the desired impact on the match.
The final minutes of the half were tense, as Arsenal continued to push forward, but Newcastle stood firm. The Magpies’ defense, led by the experienced Schär and the composed Botman, was resolute in shutting down any potential threat. Arsenal’s frustration was evident, with William Saliba receiving a yellow card for a foul on Anthony Gordon in the 42nd minute. By the time the whistle blew for half-time, Arsenal’s hopes of turning the tie around were hanging by a thread.
As the second half got underway, Newcastle’s 3-0 aggregate lead meant they were in a commanding position. Arsenal needed three goals to level the tie and force extra time, and four to win outright. Despite a few half-chances, it quickly became apparent that the Gunners were struggling to create anything of substance. Newcastle, on the other hand, seemed content to sit back and defend their lead, trusting their solid defense to see them through to the final.
The first real opportunity of the second half fell to Arsenal in the 52nd minute when a cross from the right was met by Nketiah, but his header was off target. It was a moment that encapsulated Arsenal’s frustrations on the night, as they failed to find the quality needed to break down the Newcastle defense.
As the game wore on, the St. James’ Park crowd could sense that their team was edging closer to Wembley. Arsenal’s attacks lacked cohesion, and they were unable to get the ball into dangerous areas with any real conviction. In the 75th minute, Isak had a chance to seal the victory for Newcastle. He latched onto a long ball over the top and raced towards goal, but his shot was narrowly wide of the post.
Arsenal’s sense of desperation continued to grow, and in the 80th minute, they were handed a final chance. A free kick from Bukayo Saka was whipped into the box, but once again, Newcastle’s defense held strong. The Magpies cleared the ball with ease, and it was clear that the visitors had run out of ideas.
As the match entered its final stages, Arsenal pushed forward once more, but the game was already beyond them. The final whistle blew, and St. James’ Park erupted in celebration. Newcastle had held on to their 1-0 lead in the second leg and, more importantly, had secured a 3-0 aggregate victory. The Magpies were through to the Carabao Cup final, where they would have the chance to compete for silverware at Wembley.
For Newcastle, it was a fantastic achievement. Despite a recent dip in form, they had shown resilience and composure when it mattered most. Eddie Howe’s tactics had been spot on, and his team had executed their game plan to perfection. Alexander Isak, in particular, had been a standout performer, and his contributions in both legs had been crucial to their success.
For Arsenal, it was a night of disappointment. Despite their excellent form in the Premier League, they had been unable to break down a well-organized Newcastle defense. Mikel Arteta’s side had struggled with injuries and lacked the quality needed to overturn the deficit. Although they could hold their heads high after their recent performances, this defeat in the Carabao Cup semi-final was a setback for the Gunners.
As the dust settled at St. James’ Park, Newcastle could savor their place in the final, where they would face a new challenge in pursuit of their first major trophy in many years. For Arsenal, it was back to the drawing board as they shifted their focus to the Premier League, where they would continue their battle for the title. Both teams had shown their strengths, but in the end, it was Newcastle’s defensive solidity and clinical finishing that saw them through. The Magpies would now look forward to the chance to make history with a Wembley appearance in the Carabao Cup final.
