Arsenal v Newcastle Talking Points: Isak shows Gunners what they're missing
ALEXANDER THE GREAT: Newcastle United's Alexander Isak applauds the fans. Pic: John Walton/PA Wire.
Swedish forward Isak, who has been linked with Arsenal in the transfer market, reached 50 goals in just 89 games for the Toon Army by scoring at the Emirates It leaves his side as favourites to reach the final and probably added another €30m to Isak’s transfer window in the process.
His goal, a cool and calm finish from a Jacob Murphy flick-on, was his seventh in the last five games and the 15th of a remarkable season for a player who oozes class from every pore.
He also played a leading part in Newcastle’s second, seeing his shot saved by David Raya before Anthony Gordon converted.
It’s little surprise that Arsenal, still without an out-and-out centre-forward, have watched his progress, especially as at 25 he has the best years of his career ahead of him. He would be a perfect addition and, potentially, a game changer in the title race.
However, the Emirates board must fear Isak’s current form is pushing him into the kind of transfer stratosphere that only Real Madrid, Chelsea, and Manchester City can traverse.
Newcastle reaching a cup final would make the chance of signing him even more remote.
The Carabao Cup has its detractors, and there have been one or two groans about the Football League’s insistence to stick to a two-legged semi-final; but this was a match that showed just how much Arsenal and Newcastle want to win it.
Mikel Arteta picked his first-choice midfield of Declan Rice, Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard for the first time in seven fixtures in a bid to reach the final, whilst Newcastle, backed by 6,000 travelling fans, shocked their opponents with the extent of their ambition in north London – setting up to press high and attack.
When you consider the Magpies haven’t won a major trophy since lifting the FA Cup in 1955, and Arteta has lifted silverware only once during his time as manager with the Gunners, their commitment to put that right was a strong rebuff to those who say the League Cup is one trophy too many and should be ditched. So, too, was an end-to-end rumbustious cup tie.
With another huge semi-final to come, between Tottenham and Liverpool, the Carabao is on something of a roll, with a Wembley spectacular guaranteed on Sunday 16 March, no matter who gets through.
When you consider the Gunners went more than 70 minutes with only three shot on target in an end-to-end game against Newcastle this time, the last thing need on Sunday is another big cup tie. But that’s what they’ve got.
Manchester United arrive at the Emirates this weekend in the FA Cup Third Round and they must have enjoyed watching the energy that the Gunners used up in a frantic tie — and they may well be looking closely at Newcastle’s game plan, too.
They went full out attack in the first half and it was only late in the game when they were forced to defend deep. Make no mistake, this is a match that will have taken a lot out of Arsenal legs. Ruben Amorim will be licking his lips.
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