Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal face an uphill battle to overturn a 2-0 deficit against Newcastle United in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final if they hope to reach the final.
The Gunners were defeated on Tuesday night as Newcastle claimed a crucial away victory. Alexander Isak opened the scoring in the first half, with Anthony Gordon doubling the Magpies’ lead, leaving Arsenal with a challenging task when the teams meet again in February.
Arsenal’s recent record against Newcastle adds to their difficulty, having lost at St. James’ Park in the past two seasons. Moreover, no team in Carabao Cup history has ever recovered from a two-goal first-leg home defeat to reach the final. When asked about this daunting statistic, Arteta responded defiantly: “Let’s do it then.”
The Gunners are under pressure to secure silverware, as their last major trophy came in 2020. Despite dominating possession and other stats at the Emirates, Arsenal failed to capitalize on their chances, while Newcastle were clinical.
Reflecting on the match, Arteta said:
“It’s the result. If you look at what both teams produced and the domination of the game, the score doesn’t reflect the story. The reality is they were super efficient with their chances, and we weren’t. At this level, in these scenarios, you need to impose yourself and win.”
Remaining optimistic, he added:
“It’s just halftime. Seeing how the team played and dealt with various situations against a very good opponent, I have full belief we can go there and turn it around.”
Arteta also dismissed making excuses for his side’s shortcomings and emphasized their progress compared to last season. He said:
“Compared to last season, in the Premier League we’re in the same position, and we were knocked out of the Carabao Cup earlier then. So overall, we’re in a better position considering everything that’s happened.”
Meanwhile, Newcastle, seeking their second Carabao Cup final appearance in three years, remain a formidable opponent at home. They will aim to build on their success and return to Wembley, where they lost to Manchester United in the 2023 final.
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