AFCON 2025
Newcastle secured a well-deserved 2-0 victory over Arsenal in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
The Magpies conceded possession to the Gunners as expected but were effective in set pieces which lead to the first goal.
Alexander Isak gave the visitors the lead on the 37th minute shortly after Gabriel Martinelli’s shot came off the post.
The in-form Swedish striker took found himself in space after the Gunners struggled to clear the lines from a free-kick deep into their box.
Sven Botman’s header fell to the path of Jacob Murphy, he layed a simple pass to Isak who buried a the ball into the roof of the net with his left foot.
The visitors took their lead into the break as the Gunners were denied spaces to operate in the final third.
Anthony Gordon doubled the lead for the visitors six minutes into the second half.
David Raya fell to the ground swiftly to deny Isak’s shot but parried it to the path of Gordon who finished from close range.
The English winger pulled off the famous Thierry Henry’s celebration as he raced to place his hands on the corner flag.
Martin Dubraka was solid between the sticks as the 35-year-old Slovakian denied the Gunners from getting a goal.
The Magpies leave the Emirates unscatted heading into the second leg at the St. James’ Park next month.
