Arsenal 0 Newcastle 2: Alexander Isak channels inner Thierry Henry to leave Gunners’ Carabao Cup hopes all-but over
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THE comparisons between Alexander Isak and Thierry Henry are frequent and obvious. And here, against the club where the great Frenchman became Invincible, Newcastle’s lethal Swede sent his side to the brink of a second Carabao Cup Final in three years.
![[Alexander Isak fired Newcastle to victory in the first leg of their Carabao semi against Arsenal]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025-newcastle-uniteds-alexander-isak-962222292.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Just a month ago, the Geordie Arabia revolution seemed to have stalled. After a miserable beating at Brentford, Eddie Howe’s men were marooned in the bottom half of the Premier League table with the club’s spending plans frustrated by Profit and Sustainability Rules.
![[Anthony Gordon was also in target as Toon won 2-0 at the Emirates]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/anthony-gordon-newcastle-united-celebrates-962225532_7b4d8d.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
The turnaround since has been staggering - seven straight victories, powered by Isak’s goals. Like Henry, he is tall, languid, dangerous coming off the left flank and dead-eyed in front of goal. Here, he netted a tenth goal in nine appearances, then produced the shot which led to Anthony Gordon’s second.
![[Arsenal failed to get going on a miserable night for their fans]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/declan-rice-arsenal-looks-carabao-962226555.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Arsenal’s hopes in the second leg - which is, ridiculously, being staged four weeks from now on February 5 - are slim, approaching zero. This was a hideous night for Mikel Arteta who saw his own set-piece specialists concede from the most basic of up-and-under free-kicks.
![[The Gunners will need a miracle to turn things around at St James' Park]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/gabriel-martinelli-arsenal-reacts-missed-962226950.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
The Gunners dominated possession and the shot count but were hopeless in both boxes. FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS. Without Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard seems to lack spark and Arsenal are often prone to looking bang average in attack. Arsenal have seven fixtures in three different competitions before the return leg. Perhaps this will give them time to forget what a disaster this first leg had been.
