The last step awaits Newcastle United, without a domestic trophy since 1955, although the two that came before it in north London and their North-East home have been spectacular for Eddie Howe’s players – a cup team of the highest quality and both times the men for the big occasion.
The League Cup did not even exist when Newcastle raised that last English trophy in their history, the FA Cup, and as the pages have turned over the intervening years so the wait has become ever more extraordinary. It will be just 38 days when they awake on Thursday morning until the second trip to Wembley under Howe in three years, and the prospect of a landmark afternoon in the long history of a club that just wants to win something. But for the time being they can savour a brilliant victory over two legs against an Arsenal team that could not live with them on either night.
There can scarcely be a better attacking combination currently than the quicksilver pace and rapid exchanges of Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak. The Englishman scored in this game as he had in the first leg at the Emirates and the dashing Swedish striker proved himself unplayable again for this usually unflappable Arsenal defence. Howe’s team do not have the weight of possession, nor the endless corners of Arsenal, and yet the smaller quantities of attack moments that Newcastle did enjoy were used to much greater effect.
St James' Park is ROCKING! ????????
Newcastle capitalise on some sloppy play from Arsenal at the back and Anthony Gordon extends the lead ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/eSHmxkmpha
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 5, 2025
First Isak’s shot in the first half lashed against the post and rolled in by Jacob Murphy, then Howe’s shrewd press in the second half, which saw Fabian Schar sneak up from centre-back and pinch the ball from Declan Rice. Gordon finished the rest, and he was the game’s outstanding player by an inch on his team-mate Isak. Deep in conversation before the kick-off and then later in breaks in play, the pair do make it look easy at times. At the end of the first half Gordon seemed exhausted but even down to his reserves he is an exceptional attacker.
For Arsenal it was a tie that just never felt in their control. Either at home or this time from Isak’s fourth minute goal that was disallowed for offside by what seemed like the stitching on his sleeve, to Murphy’s goal 15 minutes later. “It must be the ball” sang the home fans to Mikel Arteta in the second half. Arteta’s team did all the things that have propelled them upwards over the last five years but they had none of the devil of Newcastle’s attacking. Not hard to see why they might have wanted to sign Isak last month, a man who would score goals anywhere.
This was as full-blooded a semi-final as they come from the start – a raucous mood and an aggressive start. Gordon lost track of Kai Havertz in the first five seconds and risked a booking by dragging the German back. Within four minutes, Newcastle had scored a fabulous goal that was ruled out by the narrowest of margins after a long interval of measuring shoulder positions and heels. But it was worth recapping nonetheless.
Sandro Tonali won the ball abruptly in midfield and Gordon then took it off his Italian team-mate to slot a through ball into the right channel for Isak who had, by the narrowest of margins, timed his run just too early. Isak’s finish off his right foot was glorious, An upward soaring drive on the run past David Raya. Isak would do that again with his left foot for the goal.
That was on 19 minutes – an exchange between Isak and Gordon just inside Arsenal’s half and then Isak wrapped his left around the shot. It clipped the inside of the post and was tidied up nicely in the right channel by Jacob Murphy, joining the attack. But it was made by the swiftness of the Isak and Gordon combination. Howe’s counter attacking football demands that these two can wriggle out of tight spaces before Arsenal can get back into shape. On this occasion they did so splendidly.
"DENIED ONCE, BUT NOT THIS TIME!"
Alexander Isak's effort hits the post but Jacob Murphy is there to finish off the rebound ???? pic.twitter.com/YcULFNSHIM
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 5, 2025
The five-man defence which Howe selected had to absorb a lot of pressure in the meantime. Martin Odegaard just brushed the outside of Martin Dubravka’s left post on 18 minutes, as Arsenal went through the centre of the home side. There was a lot of pressure on the left centre-back and left-back pairing of Dan Burn and Lewis Hall. The teenager stood up well to the test of Gabriel Martinelli and then, when the Brazilian was injured and subsequently substituted, his replacement Ethan Nwaneri. Arsenal squeezed the territory that could Newcastle operate in comfortably, but they did not have the explosiveness of Gordon and Isak.
The high Arsenal defensive line was always an invitation for the pair of them to run in behind and even the most notable defensively-minded players were cautious in tehri approach. Isak had the measure of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes when either of the Arsenal defenders were turned back to run towards their own goal. By the same measure Gordon invited a challenge from Declan Rice and then just glided past him. When they could, Arsenal left something on Gordon – a blatant off the ball charge on him by Thomas Partey in the first half on one such occasion. Tonali offered a reprisal on Odegaard.
The second Newcastle goal came when Schar picked off David Raya’s pass to Rice and Gordon finished on 51 minutes. Even before that Newcastle had caught Saliba in possession and Gordon had shied one from distance when he could have had a run at Raya with Isak beside him. By the end there was none of the tension that St James’ Park had anticipated – just the comfortable path to another Wembley final.
10:59 PM GMT
Kieran Tripper speaking on Sky
Arsenal do game management a lot and we did the same. If we stick to the game plan we will go far as a team. It means everything to reach the final. We have had the experience before.
The first time there was a lot of emotion and now we know how to handle that. The ticket stuff was carnage and it takes a lot of the energy out of you.
10:52 PM GMT
Arteta on Arsenal’s performance
Physically we were tired. We played so many games every three days. We knew this one was going to be high intensity. I think emotionally it was a different game. We needed to believe right until the end that we could do it but the game got away from us.
10:48 PM GMT
Arteta on Isak
I’m not here to evaluate opposition players but it is clear that he had two actions to finish and you know what happened.
10:31 PM GMT
Arteta says Martinelli felt his hamstring
He felt something, I think it was his hamstring and he wasn’t comfortable to continue. So we will have to have any MRI scan tomorrow to see the extent of the injury.
10:28 PM GMT
Some banter from the Newcastle X account
10:21 PM GMT
Bruno on Newcastle’s night
Unbelievable performance from everyone and we must thank the fans as well. Here we go, another final for the club and hopeful we can win this one.
I felt anxious before the game, big game, Arsenal a top, top team but when we play like that we become an amazing team.
Play like that and we can dream big. It would be amazing to get a trophy, it is my dream to do this.
Isak is the best striker these days for me. For me, the manager is amazing. He deserves the credit.
10:19 PM GMT
Howe said he came up with his gameplan on Monday
It was a great night for us. It was a tough game but tactically we were good. The intention was to be aggressive and sometimes when you do that it doesn’t always work. Today it did. I thought it helped to solidify our plan. We had to retreat at times but we were always in the game.
The work [on the game plan] started on Monday, which is quick. The Champions League last year helped us to work on those two-day turnarounds. We do tweak things depending on the opposition. We felt we needed more height in the team, we wanted solidity at the back and we had to change in order to win the game.
The players followed the instruction to the letter, they deserve the credit. Fabian [Schar] had big distances to cover in his job, tracking Declan Rice whether he dropped low or went wide or went central. At times he went right across the pitch. He is a good athlete and is very capable of doing it.
10:15 PM GMT
Newcastle’s celebrations
10:08 PM GMT
Stay humble features in Gordon’s post-match comments
It feels amazing. A proper team performance and we got the win. Our fans are never in question, they make it so difficult for the opposition and we did it the right way.
We had a game plan we thought would work. Everyone knows we press. It is important for us to stay humble now. It will be a big occasion but it’s so far away.
10:02 PM GMT
Howe’s strong record vs Arteta
5 - This is the fifth time Arsenal have lost to Eddie Howe's Newcastle in all competitions under Mikel Arteta; only Pep Guardiola (9) and Jürgen Klopp (6) have beaten the Spaniard more in his time in charge of the Gunners. Thorn. pic.twitter.com/F1igKE04OX
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 5, 2025
09:58 PM GMT
FT: Newcastle 2 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 4-0)
Newcastle are into the Carabao Cup final after vanquishing Arsenal in comprehensive style over the two legs of this semi-final. Newcastle will have a chance to win their first domestic trophy since 1955 at Wembley, where they lost the League Cup final two years to Manchester United. Their approach was spot on over the two legs, and Alexander Isak was in a class of his own.
Arsenal probably created enough for a 2-2 draw at the Emirates, but they were outplayed tonight and were not at the races. Even their most reliable performers Saliba, Gabriel, Rice, Havertz and Odegaard were well off it.
09:51 PM GMT
90 minutes: Newcastle 2 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 4-0)
Declan Rice has just tested Dubravka from a tight angle. Arsenal win a corner, from which Lewis-Skelly heads over when unmarked in the six-yard box. Not known for his aerial strength, but he should have scored.
There will be four minutes of added time.
Newcastle United, on and off the pitch, have been absolutely magnificent tonight. A superb atmosphere, a tactical masterclass from Eddie Howe and a brilliant performance from the team. When they play like this they look like they can beat anyone. Wembley again anyone? #nufc
— Luke Edwards (@LukeEdwardsTele) February 5, 2025
09:48 PM GMT
87 minutes: Newcastle 2 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 4-0)
Declan Rice body-checked Tonali off the ball, and then lunged in late on Bruno G. The Newcastle midfielder gets up and whips up the crowd. The Trippier tries to have a word with Lewis-Skelly, and Rice ushers his former England team-mate away.
09:46 PM GMT
85 minutes: Newcastle 2 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 4-0)
Bruno G with a no-look pass which the Newcastle fans love, but Arsenal just about survive from the resulting cross without further damage. Calafiori has been playing at right-back since coming on.
09:42 PM GMT
82 minutes: Newcastle 2 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 4-0)
Havertz goes down looking for a penalty, claiming Burn pulled him down but VAR checks and rules he ran into the Newcastle defender.
09:40 PM GMT
80 minutes: Newcastle 2 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 4-0)
Rice with a corner curled behind for a Newcastle goal kick. Krafth and Willock are on for Newcastle, Botman and Murphy are the players off for the home team.
09:38 PM GMT
77 minutes: Newcastle 2 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 4-0)
Calafiori and Jorginho are about to come on for Arsenal. Havertz tries to work a yard for a shot, but his touch lets him down. At times Havertz has looked like a tired horse weaving his way to the finish post at Aintree. He needs a week off badly.
Partey and Timber are coming off.
09:35 PM GMT
74 minutes: Newcastle 2 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 4-0)
Martin Dubravka goes down to receive some treatment. It must be a genuine niggle because there is no real need to waste time at this stage. Thomas Partey challenges Tonali, who wants a free-kick, but it will be a Newcastle throw-in.
09:32 PM GMT
70 minutes: Newcastle 2 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 4-0)
Newcastle’s fans have found their voice, they are cruising through to the final. Arsenal look very short of energy and ideas. Anthony Gordon defends near his own box against Nwaneri, great diligence from the winger.
09:28 PM GMT
68 minutes: Newcastle 2 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 4-0)
“Mikel Arteta, it must be the ball,” is the chant from the Newcastle fans. Arsenal are accumulating the corners, but nothing too clear-cut.
All four sides of St James’ Park are currently singing Mikel Arteta, it must be the ball…” and “He’s going to cry in a minute.”
09:26 PM GMT
66 minutes: Newcastle 2 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 4-0)
Havertz has had one of his poorest Arsenal games in a long while, he looks shattered. The game has entered a bit of a lull now. Even Newcastle’s fans sound like they are waiting for the final-whistle so the celebrations can begin in earnest.
09:24 PM GMT
64 minutes: Newcastle 2 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 4-0)
Nwaneri with a nice burst down the right and he stands up a teasing cross but there was no Arsenal player attacking the six-yard box. Arsenal continuing to see a lot of the ball, but their race is run unless something extraordinary happens.
09:21 PM GMT
60 minutes: Newcastle 2 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 4-0)
Arsenal have a corner and they are making a double sub: Odegaard and Trossard off, Merino and Sterling on. Odegaard coming off feels like Arteta looking ahead to the Premier League schedule post this mini-break.
09:20 PM GMT
60 minutes: Newcastle 2 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 4-0)
Raya tries to set Havertz away with a long kick, but Lewis Hall stood his ground and defended well. The Nwaneri is the latest Arsenal player to lose the ball in midfield, and Isak shoots straight at Raya.
09:18 PM GMT
58 minutes: Newcastle 2 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 4-0)
Arsenal having some possession in the Newcastle half, but it all feels a little futile. Partey then trips Gordon and Newcastle can shift up the pitch again.
09:16 PM GMT
56 minutes: Newcastle 2 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 4-0)
Isak with more superb hold up play to win a foul in midfield, and he has tormented Arsenal over the two legs. Arsenal have missed some chances but they have been beaten up fair and square over the two games.
09:13 PM GMT
GOOOAALLL! Gordon punishes Rice’s error
Arsenal caught on the ball again, much as they caught City playing out from the back at the Emirates on Sunday. Raya with a straight pass into Rice at the edge of the box, and Newcastle’s centre-back followed Schar followed Rice all the way. His challenge ran for Gordon and he finished beyond Raya. That is surely tie over.
That may look like a mistake from Arsenal but it is a trap Newcastle have set for them and they have fallen into it.
Fabian Schar has been prowling behind Declan Rice all game when he looks to collect the ball from his goalkeeper and after Gordon rushes Raya the trap is sprung. Schar anticipates that the only ball on is into the feet of Rice, who is facing his own goal and does not realise the Newcastle centre back is there.
Schar slides in and, having missed a great chance moments, earlier, Gordon is in the perfect place to sweep the ball home first time.
The noise inside this stadium is sensational and the scarves being twirled in celebration were a sight to behold.
St James' Park is ROCKING! ????????
Newcastle capitalise on some sloppy play from Arsenal at the back and Anthony Gordon extends the lead ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/eSHmxkmpha
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 5, 2025
09:12 PM GMT
51 minutes: Newcastle 1 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 3-0)
Rice’s corner to the back post drifted behind for a goal kick. Gordon’s chance really was not far away from the far corner. Saliba’s performance tonight has been a mystery.
09:10 PM GMT
49 minutes: Newcastle 1 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 3-0)
So close to Newcastle’s second goal! Saliba with another horrible moment as the last man back, dallying on the ball and caught by Gordon. The winger went for the early shot beyond Raya who was out of his goal, but it drifted wide of the far post.
Rice then does well to win a 50:50 in midfield and Trossard wins a corner. Murphy then heads behind for another after Nwaneri’s cross.
09:08 PM GMT
47 minutes: Newcastle 1 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 3-0)
Arsenal not looking especially smooth in the first few minutes of the second half, Havertz and Rice not eating up the ground in their usual manner.
Bruno G has just been shown the most nailed-on yellow card you will see for a foul on Trossard. The Belgian was always getting there first and the Newcastle midfielder nailed him on the top of the boot.
09:06 PM GMT
We’re back under way
Newcastle get the second half started.
09:06 PM GMT
The players are back out
Newcastle, much like Arsenal, are very adept at running the clock down using a variety of means. They just need to see this through in a professional way. Hard to see how Arsenal can muster the firepower without Saka, Martinelli, Jesus or a January signing.
09:00 PM GMT
Still going strong on Newcastle’s right flank
5 & 14 - Jacob Murphy has five goals in all competitions this season - his most in a single season for Newcastle. Indeed, he has 14 goal involvements in 2024-25 (5 goals, 9 assists), his most in a single campaign since 2016-17 for Norwich (16 - 10 goals, 6 assists). Productive. pic.twitter.com/DuNxaFguHY
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 5, 2025
08:52 PM GMT
HT: Newcastle 1 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 3-0)
Newcastle have more than one foot in the final now. They started the game at a frenetic pace, unsettling Arsenal’s defenders, and though the contest was slightly chaotic they landed the first punch through Murphy after Isak hit the post. They were fractions away from doing so even earlier through Isak’s disallowed goal. Arsenal will rue Odegaard’s missed chance at 0-0 but they have not looked stable and now do not look especially dangerous. To top it off, they have lost Martinelli to injury.
Newcastle will be very happy with how that first half has gone and had it not been for the tightest of offside decisions against Alexander Isak they would be 2-0 up.
Having scored the first goal, though, Eddie Howe’s decision to play with three centre backs look a very astute one.
The Magpies are happy to let Arsenal have the ball now, dropping into a bank of five in defence with the midfield four sitting in front of them as an extra layer of protection.
Arsenal look good but cannot find a final pass to get in behind the Magpies and other than one save to deny Trossard, goalkeeper Martin Dubravka has had very little to do.
08:50 PM GMT
45 minutes+5: Newcastle 1 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 3-0)
Dan Burn with a well-timed challenge on Nwaneri in the box after some neater Arsenal football around the box. Lewis-Skelly does brilliantly to win a free-kick but there is not time to take it.
08:48 PM GMT
45 minutes+3: Newcastle 1 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 3-0)
Newcastle finishing the half with a flourish through Gordon, who first curls a shot wide and then takes Saliba for a run to win the corner. Newcastle’s forwards have caused serious damage throughout, even if Arsenal have had intermittment spells of possession.
08:45 PM GMT
45 minutes: Newcastle 1 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 3-0)
There will be FIVE minutes of added time.
08:44 PM GMT
45 minutes: Newcastle 1 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 3-0)
Now Saliba is shown a yellow card for tangling with Gordon and pulling back the winger. Newcastle are testing the French centre-back with long straight balls and he is struggling.
08:42 PM GMT
43 minutes: Newcastle 1 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 3-0)
Arsenal getting frustrated now, and Havertz is booked for barging Bruno Guimaraes over near the corner flag. Not for the first time tonight, Trippier is around the incident within seconds.
08:40 PM GMT
40 minutes: Newcastle 1 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 3-0)
Timber with a loose touch near the touchline and the ball dribbles out for a Newcastle throw. Then Nwaneri sends a cross behind for a Newcastle goal kick with a cross with his weaker foot. Arsenal looking less threatening in this period of the game.
08:39 PM GMT
Newcastle begin to retreat
Newcastle are dropping very deep, inviting Arsenal on to them in the hope of springing another rapid counter attack .
It has almost come off a couple of times and the Gunners defence is playing so high, the speed of Isak, Gordon and Murphy could easily leave them in real trouble.
It has taken a monumental effort from Eddie Howe’s players so far and theft are starting to slow down a little as we approach half time.
That is just sparking their fans into life though as they burst into yet another chant to life their team.
08:37 PM GMT
37 minutes: Newcastle 1 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 3-0)
Big injury worry for Arsenal, especially in light of the lack of a forward signing: Gabriel Martinelli has gone off clutching his hamstring, replaced by Ethan Nwaneri.
08:36 PM GMT
35 minutes: Newcastle 1 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 3-0)
Newcastle almost playing for time and territory near the corner, and then Bruno does a couple of keepie-uppies to the annoyance of the Arsenal players. The free-kick results in an Arsenal goal kick, and Lewis-Skelly does brilliantly to turn out of pressure.
08:33 PM GMT
33 minutes: Newcastle 1 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 3-0)
Gabriel partially slipped when Arsenal had everyone pushed forward, but Isak immediately gave the ball away. Sound defending from Botman to ease out Havertz. Lots of errors and nervous energy from both teams, but Newcastle have the goals in their pocket.
08:31 PM GMT
30 minutes: Newcastle 1 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 3-0)
Timber with a loose pass to Martinelli that bounces out for a Newcastle throw. Odegaard may have just jarred his foot in a challenge near the touchline, but he is back on the pitch. Gabriel then defends well near the corner flag to win a foul and stop the Newcastle counter, and Trippier tries to wind him up.
08:28 PM GMT
28 minutes: Newcastle 1 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 3-0)
Arsenal seeing plenty of the ball and territory now, but Newcastle are poised to counter on them. Lovely touch from Martinelli to start another attack off, but he telegraphs his movement and Gordon blocks his cross. Newcastle remain in command, for now.
08:25 PM GMT
24 minutes: Newcastle 1 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 3-0)
Arsenal with another decent chance! Dubravka saves with his feet from Trossard. Newcastle look such a threat every time they come forward, but they still look nervy defensively. Arsenal rack up successive corners, with Dubravka under pressure. The ball drops in a dangerous spot, but Newcastle clear before Gordon fouls Lewis-Skelly.
08:22 PM GMT
22 minutes: Newcastle 1 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 3-0)
The game has gone haywire in the last few minutes, swinging from end to end. Before the game, the consensus was tie over if Newcastle score first. That will most likely be true, but it does have the feel of a crazy game already.
08:20 PM GMT
GOOOALL! Murphy gives Newcastle a lead that will surely count
Murphy the scorer, but it is all about Isak in the build-up. He nicks in front of Saliba and receives the ball back, before unleashing a shot with his left foot that clatters against the post. It falls for the unmarked Murphy to tap into the empty net.
What a strike from Alexander Isak with his weaker left foot. A curling thunderbolt from just outside the area that seemed destined for the top corner right until the moment it struck the post.
The groans immediately turned into cheers as Jacob Murphy kept his composure to roll in the ricochet. That was a far more difficult finish in real time than it might have looked back home on television.
"DENIED ONCE, BUT NOT THIS TIME!"
Alexander Isak's effort hits the post but Jacob Murphy is there to finish off the rebound ???? pic.twitter.com/YcULFNSHIM
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 5, 2025
08:19 PM GMT
17 minutes: Newcastle 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 2-0)
Arsenal’s best move of the match, establishing possession deep in the Newcastle half. Odegaard zipped a pass into Havertz who set the ball back for his captain but Odegaard’s shot was blocked.
Then Odegaard misses an even better chance! Martinelli clattered outside the box but the ball ran through for Odegaard whose right-footed shot clipped the outside of the post.
08:16 PM GMT
15 minutes: Newcastle 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 2-0)
Newcastle continue to be the team in the ascendancy, Murphy floats in a cross to the back stick from the right which Hall volleys into the side netting. Arsenal struggling for any continuity in possession, so they are not in shape when they do lose it. Dubravka almost presents them with a gift under pressure from Trossard but the Newcastle goalkeeper squeezed a pass out.
08:13 PM GMT
13 minutes: Newcastle 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 2-0)
Arsenal unable to build up any rhythm so far, and first Raya and then Saliba slice clearances up into the air. Then Rice is caught on the ball at the edge of his own box. Newcastle are harrying them at every opportunity, reminiscent to the game in May 2022. Odegaard drops back to settle things down for Arsenal. Impressive pressing from Newcastle, but can they sustain it?
08:10 PM GMT
Sensational atmosphere at St James’
As they did before the thrashing of Paris Saint Germain in the Champions League last season, Newcastle switched up their pre-match music to include AC/DCs Thunder which helped whip the home fans into a frenzy.
The stadium was full several minutes before the players left the pitch at the end of their warm up. The noise is ear-splittingly loud at the moment and the team has responded.
The roof almost came off St James’ Park when it looked like Alexander Isak had given his team the lead only for the goal to be ruled out for a very tight offside.
That was so close to the perfect start for the Magpies. How will they respond to that mini setback?
08:08 PM GMT
8 minutes: Newcastle 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 2-0)
“Same old Arsenal, always cheating,” rings around St James’ after the away team win a free-kick wide left. That is an emotional blow for Newcastle but they will surely take encouragement from how easily they got in behind Arsenal’s defence and the quality of Isak’s finish.
08:06 PM GMT
Simon Hooper announces the decision: NO GOAL
This is one of the most marginal offsides you will see, cigarettes paper in it.. but it has gone Arsenal’s way. Boos ring around St James’ Park. There was little to separate Isak and the Saliba.
Simon Hooper’s voice over the PA system at St James’ Park very much reduced to bee-in-a-jamjar quality for the match going fan. Doesn’t seem to be enjoying doing the public pronouncements
08:05 PM GMT
GOOOAALLL! Isak buries Newcastle’s first chance and possibly Arsenal
Raya kicked long, and Tonali pounced on the second ball in midfield in front of Partey. Gordon flipped a first-time pass forward for Isak in the right channel and he blasted beyond the helpless Raya.
But it was a very tight offside call... VAR is checking.
08:03 PM GMT
4 minutes: Newcastle 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 2-0)
Newcastle fail to make anything of their set-piece, and Timber is then pushed over in the box by Isak.
08:02 PM GMT
2 minutes: Newcastle 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 2-0)
Rice does indeed go over to the right to take the early free-kick. Headed behind by Isak for an Arsenal corner. Too early in the game to call this a start by either side, but it is a sharp reminder of the reality of the contest for Newcastle fans.
Martinelli then misplaces a pass and has to sprint back to defend the counter against Murphy who was too strong for the Arsenal man. Foul, but no yellow card much to the annoyance of the crowd and Kieran Trippier.
08:00 PM GMT
KICK OFF!
Arsenal get the game started. They go back to Raya and he kicks long looking for territory. Gordon fouls Havertz and Rice will have the chance to deliver into the box inside the first minute.
07:58 PM GMT
The players are on their way out
Throaty roar from the Newcastle fans the second Bruno Guimaraes stepped out of the mouth of the tunnel. Arsenal will have to do a lot of things right in the first 10 or 15 minutes to quieten this lot down. The volume suggests more than a few afternoons have been booked off work to wet the larynx before the game.
07:56 PM GMT
The flags are on full display
Arsenal won at St James’ in May 2023, but have lost three Premier League matches either side of that game, failing to score in all three of those defeats. There is needle between the players, the benches, and even the boardrooms with Arsenal one of the strongest proponents of regulation and cost controls in the Premier League, something which affects Newcastle conspicuously. It has become an unlikely rivalry.
07:50 PM GMT
Arteta on Arsenal’s No 9 options other than Havertz
We’re going to have to be very flexible in the frontline and now the ones that we have in our feet, make sure they stay fit and keep contributing. Leo [Trossard] can play in that position, Raheem [Sterling] has played in that position, Ethan [Nwaneri] I think can play in that position, Martinelli can play there so let’s see in relation to how everybody is; the moment and opponent, but at some point, we’re going to have to try something different.
07:47 PM GMT
Howe on the Newcastle crowd
I think [our success] has been a combination of us and the crowd. I think we’ve become a really potent team together and that is what we are going to need in this game. We are going to need to engage all our supporters in our energy and our body language, we need to make this a formidable environment for our opponent. It is our duty to do that.
07:40 PM GMT
Arteta’s pre-match thoughts
It’s going to be a long match, there’s a lot to play for and the context is very special as well so we decide to go with the same players.
Very emotional game, the first goal is going to be important. If we score the first goal, it is going to play on their minds.
We were very disappointed with the first leg because we created so much against them. In recent games we have been very efficient and we need to be the same tonight.
07:29 PM GMT
Howe’s big selection call
The big talking point before kick off is Newcastle have switched to five at the back in the absence of Joelinton.
The three centre backs are presumably being deployed to try and limit Arsenal’s threat at set pieces but does it send the wrong message? Newcastle are leading 2-0 from the first leg, are they going to try and protect that lead rather than add to it?
The return of Kieran Trippier at right-back is also an interesting call. The former England international offers far more as an attacking threat than Tino Livramento and as Newcastle are playing with wing backs, you can see why that is attractive to manager Eddie Howe. His experience will also be crucial on a night like this.
07:26 PM GMT
The match ball
Arteta suggested that the different feel and trajectory of the League Cup ball was a factor in Arsenal’s wayward finishing against Newcastle in the first leg. Thom Gibbs paid a visit to League Two club Bromley to put the theory to the test and see how the Puma ball compares to the Premier League’s Nike model.
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07:21 PM GMT
The team news assessed
Howe would not give anything away regarding Newcastle’s formation out of possession tonight and whether it will be a back four or five. Lewis Hall could play in the midfield three or as a wing-back. If he is on the left of the midfield trio, he will be tasked with cutting the supply into Martin Odegaard, a defensive role which could suit him.
If Newcastle do play a back four, it will be Dan Burn at left-back and Arteta might fancy having Gabriel Martinelli run off his inside shoulder. Nwaneri can feel unlucky not to get the nod, but we could be in for a long night. No changes is informed by the 10-day break that follows this game for Arsenal.
07:12 PM GMT
The St James’ Park atmosphere
As Luke Edwards writes here, Newcastle fans pride themselves on the hostile atmosphere they create at home, and fixtures against Arsenal have tended to increase the decibel levels in recent years. There is another emotional dimension though: the years the Geordie faithful have waited for silverware and the fear of blowing a two-goal lead.
07:06 PM GMT
Howe’s pre-match thoughts
As always close to kick-off, I’m positive and looking forward to the game, hoping we play the know we can do and that we show the people here how much we want to win the game.
I don’t think we know any other way [whether Newcastle are going to go for it], especially here. We might sometimes have to tweak how we do that.
We have to get the crowd in the game, if we don’t then we are not utilising a major weapon. That comes from our intention and how we start the game.
It’s a flexible system! In all seriousness we are a flexible team as we showed at the Emirates, we started the game one way and then changed as we played.
07:02 PM GMT
Arsenal unchanged from Man City win
Arsenal starting XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Partey, Rice, Odegaard; Martinelli, Havertz, Trossard
Subs: Setford, Kiwior, Calafiori, Tierney, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Merino, Sterling, Nwaneri
07:00 PM GMT
Newcastle team and subs
06:50 PM GMT
Howe on Newcastle’s approach
My message is, we are at the halfway point in the tie. Against any opposition, the game is still very much alive. We have to approach the game in a really positive and aggressive way, try and be ourselves, there will be no deviation from that. We are in a good position and need to make the most of every opportunity.
06:48 PM GMT
Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri’s connection
There is a chance both players start tonight, although Lewis-Skelly’s left-back berth is the one position where Arteta has scope to add fresh legs. Nwaneri surely stands a great chance of making the starting XI, given his growing reputation as a dead-eyed shooter from around the edge of the box. Arsenal are chasing goals and Nwaneri already has seven in all competitions.
Sam Dean has the story of Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly’s 12-year-old friendship. Nwaneri is not yet old enough to change with the rest of his team-mates.
06:44 PM GMT
Do we see more comebacks now?
The statistics will tell you that a two-goal lead is not really that dangerous, especially in League Cup semi-finals.
We see more two-legged football in Europe though, and there has been a growing trend of mad comebacks in the not too distant past: Barcelona’s ‘Remontada’ against PSG in 2017 from 4-0 down, Roma overturning a 4-1 first-leg loss to Barcelona in 2018, Barcelona losing a three-goal lead to Liverpool in 2019, Tottenham reeling in Ajax from 3-0 down on aggregate the following night. Earlier that same season, Manchester United lost 2-0 to PSG at Old Trafford only to win 3-1 in Paris in the last 16 thanks to Marcus Rashford’s late penalty.
A freakish spell of results perhaps, or do teams now struggle to shut games down?
I also recall Chelsea winning 3-1 at Anfield in the 2009 Champions League quarter-finals, only to find themselves 2-0 down at half-time of the second leg at Stamford Bridge. They progressed in the end, but were caught in two minds early on while Liverpool had no choice but to attack. These games can have a strange dynamic.
06:39 PM GMT
Arteta on Arsenal facing their ‘bogey team’
I didn’t know that word! They are a very difficult team to play against and there have been different games. We beat them at home last year in a good way, and obviously this season has been different with two very different games as well. It’s another opportunity in front of us, a big one that can take us to Wembley so I’m really looking forward to it.
06:35 PM GMT
Newcastle’s players have arrived in good time
No sign of Joelinton at the moment, but maybe Howe is keeping him away from the cameras. It is the sort of trick Arteta would use.
06:29 PM GMT
One pre-match team talk has already started
06:28 PM GMT
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06:27 PM GMT
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06:26 PM GMT
Arsenal ready to go “full gas” to upset the odds at St James’ Park
History is against Arsenal but weighs on Newcastle going into tonight’s League Cup semi-final second leg at St James’ Park, with the home team looking to build on a 2-0 lead established in north London.
Only twice in 31 previous occasions has a team lost a semi-final first leg in this competition and gone on to reach the final, though Arsenal produced one of those comebacks against Spurs in 1987. Aston Villa in 1994 are the only case in 32 instances of a team overturning a two-goal deficit and that came against Tranmere Rovers.
Newcastle are looking to end a 70-year wait for major domestic silverware, one of English football’s most remarkable barren runs considering the club’s fervent support and bountiful catchment area for talented young players.
Eddie Howe’s team were flying when they arrived at the Emirates - four weeks before tonight’s game - and were well worth their victory. They rode their luck at times defensively, with Gabriel Martinelli hitting the post and Kai Havertz missing a header from just a few yards out. They were aggressive and positive at the start of the game though, with Alexander Isak eluding Arsenal defenders with ease.
Newcastle’s manager has called on his players to forget the scoreline and start on the front foot, but that can be easier said than done. They have also been rocked by home league defeats to Fulham and Bournemouth since the first leg, conceding six goals in the process, while Arsenal arrive buoyed by their rousing victory over Manchester City on Sunday.
Owing to Arsenal’s elimination from the FA Cup, they have a 10-day break after this game with Mikel Arteta stating they can go “full gas” and give this a proper swing. Arsenal failed to recruit a forward in the January transfer window, so there is little scope for rotation up top, but Riccardo Calafiori, Mikel Merino and Ethan Nwaneri are pushing for starts. Newcastle are concerned by a potential knee problem for Joelinton, but it remains to be seen if the big Brazilian can be patched up for this one.
Full team news on the way shortly.
