Arsenal had to be disappointed at their own home stadium, while Newcastle claimed excellent positions for the second leg of the League Cup semi-final.
Newcastle beat Arsenal 2–0 (1–0) in the opening round of the semi-finals of the Football League Cup at home.
Hit in the first half Alexander Isak and finished in the second half Anthony Gordon seal the final numbers that flatter Newcastle in terms of game events. Isak’s goal was the 50th of his Newcastle career.
– The biggest difference was in the clinicalness of the teams’ goal posts. In all other respects, we were the better team, says the Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta for Sky Sports.
Arsenal wasted their own chances. Gabriel Martinelli shot the ball on the post at the half-hour mark in a goalless situation and Kai Havertz failed in his bulldozing attempt from the open position at just under an hour.
The Londoners’ goal expectation in the match was 3.09, while the efficient Newcastle’s was 1.22. Arsenal took goal attempts 23–7, dangerous goal posts 6–2 and corner kicks 11–1.
In-form Newcastle have not won a major trophy in England for nearly 70 years – since 1955 – but are now favorites to progress and reach the League Cup final when the teams meet again next month in St. at James Park.
Tottenham will face Liverpool in the second opening part of the League Cup on Wednesday.