Arsenal missed several key opportunities as Newcastle capitalized on their clinical finishing to secure a 2-0 victory in the Carabao Cup semi-final at Emirates Stadium.

Despite dominating portions of the game, the Gunners failed to convert their chances, with Jurrien Timber, Gabriel Martinelli, and Kai Havertz all wasting golden opportunities. Their inability to finish proved costly, as Newcastle took full control.

Alexander Isak, a forward reportedly admired by Arsenal, opened the scoring with a precise strike in the first half. Anthony Gordon then doubled Newcastle’s lead early in the second half, following up on Isak’s saved shot from Raya. The defeat leaves Arsenal with an uphill battle in the return leg at St James’ Park.

Arsenal couldn’t find a way back into the game after that as Newcastle held on comfortable to leave themselves in complete control of the semi-final ahead of the second leg next month.

GOAL rates Arsenal’s players from Emirates Stadium…

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Goalkeeper & Defence

David Raya (5/10):

Could do nothing with Isak’s close range finish, but could maybe have done better with the save that led to Gordon’s finish.

Jurrien Timber (6/10):

Decent performance, but wasted a golden opportunity to give Arsenal the lead early on.

William Saliba (6/10):

Isak caused him some problems with his runs down the right channel. Lost an aerial with Dan Burn in the lead up to Isak’s first half strike.

Gabriel Magalhaes (6/10):

Had one shot saved by Dubravka. Typically solid at the back.

Myles Lewis-Skelly (7/10):

Good showing again from the youngster, shows real maturity when put under pressure.

 

Midfield

Thomas Partey (6/10):

Played a couple of nice passes, including one that set Arsenal away for the break that saw Martinelli hit the post. Replaced by Jorginho.

Declan Rice (6/10):

Set piece delivery was on point as usual. Won possession well in midfield and got into the box when he could.

Martin Odegaard (5/10):

Looks a player far from his best right now. Struggling for form and fitness.

 

Attack

Gabriel Martinelli (5/10):

Smashed an effort against the post in the first half with the score at 0-0. Big moment that he failed to take advantage of.

Kai Havertz (5/10):

Back in the side after illness and missed a glorious chance to get Arsenal back in the game in the second half. Awful miss with his shoulder from close range.

Leandro Trossard (5/10):

Produced one clever pass to send Martinelli clear, but aside from that was on the fringes of things.

 

Subs & Manager

Gabriel Jesus (5/10):

Could do little to alter the game after his introduction.

Jorginho (5/10):

Had one shot blocked, but his introduction for Partey didn’t really change much.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (N/A):

No impact. Booked for a wild challenge.

Mikel Arteta (5/10):

With each game that passes his and the club’s failure to land a striker in the summer looks a bigger mistake. His team weren’t awful tonight, but once again they wasted their chances.