NewsArsenal player ratings vs Newcastle: That’s why Gunners need Alexander Isak! Striker terrorises Gabriel & William Saliba as David Raya clanger ensures Mikel Arteta’s men crash out of Carabao Cup…

Arsenal faced a crushing defeat in the Carabao Cup semi-final, losing 2-0 to Newcastle in the second leg, resulting in a 4-0 aggregate loss. Arsenal had already been at a disadvantage after a two-goal deficit from the first leg, and they were unable to mount a successful comeback at St. James’ Park. The game quickly turned into a nightmare for Mikel Arteta’s men as they struggled to cope with the threat posed by Newcastle’s striker, Alexander Isak, and their own inability to capitalize on attacking opportunities. Arsenal’s defensive mistakes were evident throughout the match, with their key defenders failing to deal with Newcastle’s attacks, and goalkeeper David Raya making a crucial error that led to the second goal.

The match began with early pressure from Newcastle, who looked to assert dominance right from the start. A disallowed goal by Isak momentarily halted their momentum, but the Magpies were soon in front after a defensive lapse from Arsenal. Isak won a battle for the ball against William Saliba, hit the post, and allowed Jacob Murphy to tap in the rebound. This goal set the tone for the match, as Arsenal found it increasingly difficult to handle the speed and power of Isak, who was proving to be a constant threat to their defense. Despite some promising moments from Arsenal, including a chance for Martin Ødegaard to score, they failed to break down Newcastle’s defense. In fact, it was Arsenal’s defensive errors that handed Newcastle another opportunity. A poor pass from Raya put Declan Rice under pressure, leading to Anthony Gordon doubling Newcastle’s lead by calmly rolling the ball into the net.

As the game wore on, Arsenal looked increasingly disjointed, unable to pose any significant challenge to Newcastle. Their attack lacked the creativity and precision needed to break through, and their forwards, particularly Kai Havertz, struggled to make an impact. Havertz failed to register a shot on target and gave the ball away on multiple occasions, which was emblematic of Arsenal’s overall lack of cohesion. Gabriel Martinelli also had a frustrating game, failing to connect with his teammates and unable to create any clear-cut chances. Mikel Arteta’s decision to make early substitutions did little to change the flow of the game. Ethan Nwaneri replaced Martinelli in the first half, but the young player had a tough time trying to get past Newcastle’s defense. Raheem Sterling and Mikel Merino were introduced later, but by then, the match was already beyond Arsenal’s reach.

At the back, Arsenal’s defense was exposed time and time again. Raya, who had been a reliable presence in goal for Arsenal, made a costly mistake when his pass to Rice was intercepted, directly leading to the second Newcastle goal. This error added to the mounting frustration of Arsenal fans, who saw their team struggle to contain Newcastle’s attacking threats. Saliba, who has been one of Arsenal’s standout performers this season, looked vulnerable in the face of Isak’s physicality and pace. Gabriel, alongside Saliba, failed to react quickly enough to Murphy’s rebound goal, and the defense as a whole looked shaky throughout the match. Jurrien Timber, who was more reliable than his defensive counterparts, could do little to stem the tide of Newcastle’s attacks.

In midfield, Arsenal’s usual creative force, Martin Ødegaard, had a frustrating outing. He had a great chance to put Arsenal ahead early on, but his shot struck the post. Ødegaard’s performance reflected the team’s struggles, as he was unable to influence the game in the way he has in previous matches. Declan Rice, who has been a key signing for Arsenal, tried to get something going in midfield but was caught out by Raya’s error, which led to the second goal. Thomas Partey also had a mixed performance, making some good passes but ultimately offering little protection to the defense.

As the game continued, Arsenal were unable to generate any attacking momentum. Leandro Trossard was largely ineffective, failing to create any real danger on the wing. Despite a few half-hearted attempts, Arsenal’s attack was toothless, and they couldn’t break down Newcastle’s solid defense. The game continued to slip further away from them as the clock ticked down, with the final whistle confirming their exit from the competition.

The player ratings from the match reflected Arsenal’s struggles across the board. Raya, who made the crucial mistake leading to the second goal, was rated poorly, as was Saliba, who struggled to deal with Isak. Gabriel, too, received a low rating, as he was slow to react to the rebound goal. Ødegaard’s missed chance early on and overall lack of influence in the game contributed to his poor rating. Havertz, who failed to make any meaningful impact in attack, also received a low score. On the bright side, Jurrien Timber was seen as one of the more reliable performers, though even he couldn’t prevent the overall collapse. The substitutes, including Nwaneri, Sterling, and Merino, were not able to make a difference as the game had already slipped beyond Arsenal’s control by the time they came on.

Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal manager, found his team thoroughly outclassed in this semi-final tie. His decision-making and tactics came under scrutiny as Arsenal were second best in almost every department. Arteta’s decision to go with a lineup that failed to address the glaring issue of needing a top-quality striker was evident in this match. The absence of a clinical forward who could take advantage of the limited chances that Arsenal created ultimately contributed to their downfall. It was clear that Arteta needed to make changes to his squad in order to bolster their attacking options, as Kai Havertz’s struggles showed just how much the team was lacking in that area. With this defeat, Arsenal’s hopes of winning the Carabao Cup were dashed, and they were left to reflect on a performance that was far below the standard expected of them.

As Arsenal’s fans voiced their frustrations, the team’s shortcomings were laid bare for all to see. The defense, while solid at times, was too prone to mistakes, and the attack lacked the firepower necessary to make a serious challenge for silverware. Arteta will now have to regroup his team and address these issues if they are to remain competitive in the league and other cup competitions. The defeat to Newcastle was a wake-up call for Arsenal, highlighting the need for reinforcements in key areas, especially up front. The Gunners will now turn their attention to their next challenge, hoping to bounce back from this humiliating defeat and show that they have the resilience to recover.

In conclusion, Arsenal’s Carabao Cup journey came to a bitter end as they crashed out with a 4-0 aggregate loss to Newcastle. The match exposed several weaknesses in Arteta’s side, from defensive errors to a lack of attacking threat. While individual mistakes were costly, the overall performance lacked the intensity and sharpness needed to overcome a determined Newcastle side. The defeat served as a reminder that Arsenal must continue to strengthen their squad if they are to mount a serious challenge for trophies in the future. Despite the disappointment of this cup exit, Arsenal must regroup and focus on the challenges that lie ahead.