Hooligan Soccer
·5. Februar 2025
Hooligan Soccer
·5. Februar 2025
In a season where Arsenal has somehow managed to sit near the top of the Premier League table while playing soccer that oscillates between uninspired and outright chaotic, Newcastle United delivered a timely reminder that grit and guile still trump possession stats and hollow dominance. At a raucous St James’ Park, the Magpies clinically dispatched the Gunners 2-0 in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final, securing a 4-0 aggregate victory and booking their place in the final. For Arsenal and Mikel Arteta, this was a humbling night that exposed the cracks in their gilded season.
The game began with Arsenal doing what they do best: passing the ball sideways and backwards with the kind of urgency that suggests they were trying to lull Newcastle into a deep sleep. Martin Ødegaard, the supposed creative fulcrum of this Arsenal side, did manage to strike the post early on, but that was as close as the Gunners came to looking like a team that wanted to win. Newcastle, on the other hand, were everything Arsenal were not: direct, purposeful, and clinical.
Jacob Murphy opened the scoring in the 19th minute, capitalizing on Arsenal’s defensive frailties. William Saliba, who has been hailed as the second coming of Paolo Maldini by some Arsenal fans, was left chasing shadows as Murphy slotted the ball past Aaron Ramsdale. The goal was a microcosm of Arsenal’s night: plenty of possession, no penetration, and a defense that looked like it had been assembled on a whim.
The second half saw Newcastle double their lead through Anthony Gordon, who has been quietly proving his worth since his move from Everton. Gordon’s goal in the 52nd minute was a thing of beauty, a swift counter-attack that left Arsenal’s midfield and defense looking like they were running through treacle. At 2-0, the tie was effectively over, and Newcastle spent the rest of the game toying with Arsenal like a cat with a particularly slow mouse.
Let’s talk about Arsenal for a moment. This is a team that has somehow managed to stay in the title race while playing soccer that can generously be described as “functional.” Mikel Arteta, who has been lauded as a tactical genius, seems to have built a team that excels at looking busy without actually achieving much. Their passing is neat and tidy, their movement is decent, but when it comes to actually creating chances, they look like a team that’s forgotten what the point of soccer is.
Against Newcastle, Arsenal’s flaws were laid bare. Their midfield, which has been praised for its balance, was overrun by Newcastle’s energy and physicality. Their defense, which has been lauded for its solidity, was carved open with alarming ease. And their attack, which has been described as “dynamic,” was anything but. Gabriel Martinelli went off injured after 36 minutes which will add to their long list of injured strikers.
While Arsenal floundered, Newcastle thrived. Eddie Howe has built a team that is greater than the sum of its parts, a team that knows its strengths and plays to them. Newcastle’s defense was rock solid, their midfield was industrious, and their attack was clinical. Alexander Isak, who didn’t get on the scoresheet but was a constant thorn in Arsenal’s side, epitomized Newcastle’s approach: hard-working, intelligent, and ruthless.
We live for this banter
This victory marks Newcastle’s second appearance in the Carabao Cup final in three seasons, a testament to the progress they’ve made under Howe. The Magpies are no longer the plucky underdogs; they are a team that can go toe-to-toe with the best and come out on top.
For Newcastle, this victory is another step in their journey towards becoming a genuine force in English soccer. For Arsenal, it’s a wake-up call. Yes, they’re having a great season in terms of results, but performances like this suggest that their success is built on shaky foundations. If Arteta doesn’t address the glaring issues in his team, it’s hard to see how they can sustain their current form.
In the end, this was a night that belonged to Newcastle. They were better in every department: more organized, more determined, and more clinical. Arsenal, for all their possession and pretty passing, were second best. And as the final whistle blew, the contrast between the two teams couldn’t have been starker. Newcastle are a team on the rise, while Arsenal, despite their lofty league position, look like a team that’s running on borrowed time.