Newcastle 2-0 Arsenal (4-0 agg): Match report & 3 talking points as Gunners miss out on Wembley | OneFootball

Newcastle United booked their spot in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday evening following a 2-0 win over Arsenal, taking their aggregate lead to 4-0 across both semi-final matches

Newcastle boasted a two-goal cushion from the first leg in early January and extended that advantage midway through the first half. Having already seen Alexander Isak's early effort disallowed for offside, Jacob Murphy slotted home from close range to leave Arsenal in a perilous position at the break.

Anthony Gordon doubled Newcastle's lead on the night and gave them a four-goal advantage on aggregate after punishing a slack pass from David Raya, with the Magpies holding firm to secure their trip to Wembley in March, for the second time in thre seasons.

Newcastle will have to wait to discover their Carabao Cup final opponents but they know they will face either Tottenham or Liverpool, who lock horns during their second leg at Anfield on Thursday night.

How the game unfolded

The already deafening decibel levels rose at St James' Park after just four minutes as Newcastle had the ball in the net. Isak, who had already scored in both meetings with Arsenal this season, raced forward to collect Gordon's through ball before lashing beyond Raya, but his strike was ruled out for a marginal offside - a decision announced to the home crowd by referee Simon Hooper.

Newcastle didn't have to wait too long for their eventual opener, however, with Murphy producing a nerve-easing strike as he fired in the rebound after Isak smashed the post. Having seen Martin Odegaard slam the woodwork at the other end just a minute earlier, an explosion of relief and jubilation filled St James' Park.

Arsenal desperately searched for an equaliser before the break and Leandro Trossard went closest, testing Martin Dubravka with a powerful driven effort. But things went from bad to worse for the increasingly frustrated Gunners shortly afterwards as Gabriel Martinelli left the field clutching his hamstring.

Newcastle could have put the tie beyond Arsenal's reach just three minutes into the second half as William Saliba's error allowed Gordon a shooting opportunity from 50 yards with Raya out of position. However, the England international's long-range effort trickled a foot wide of the open goal.

The Newcastle winger made no mistake following another calamitous defensive error from the visitors moments later. Raya's hospital pass put Declan Rice under immense pressure and the midfielder was unable to retain possession as the ball fell kindly for Gordon, who calmly slotted home.

Arsenal swiftly accepted defeat and Arteta's decision to withdraw Odegaard and Trossard on the hour mark indicated as much, with Newcastle looking untroubled in the closing stages to keep a well-earned clean sheet.

Newcastle will face either Spurs or Liverpool in the final on Sunday 16 March as they contest the final.

Check out the player ratings from Newcastle 2-0 Arsenal here.

Newcastle book Wembley spot

Newcastle now have a final to look forward to / Richard Sellers/Allstar/GettyImages

The cacophonous St James' Park crowd were aiming to push their side a step closer to a first major trophy since 1955 and they did an admirable job in acting as the 12th man. Newcastle fed off the home support throughout and seldom looked in danger of surrendering their well-earned advantage.

An energetic and mature first half display preyed on Arsenal nerves and even saw them extend their cushion through Murphy. Their forwards looked lethal on the counter attack, their midfielders chased every loose ball and their five-man backline stood firm under consistent pressure

An early second half goal helped further ease any nerves and the composure with which Newcastle closed the game out was remarkable. Their work rate was astounding across the pitch - even with the game clearly won - and they snuffed out any shoots of Arsenal pressure.

Having come close to glory under Eddie Howe in the 2023 Carabao Cup final, Newcastle will be desperate to end their agonising trophy drought this time around. Whether Tottenham or Liverpool are their opponents matters little - this Newcastle side are capable of conquering anyone.

Alexander Isak proves too much to handle

Alexander Isak was a class above Arsenal's defenders / Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/GettyImages

As he did during the first leg at the Emirates Stadium, Isak showed Arsenal exactly what they're missing on the big stage. The towering centre-forward is the definition of an orthodox number nine and offered Newcastle everything that the Gunners have been crying out for during their moments of frustration and profligacy this term.

Few strikers are capable of unnerving Arsenal's centre-back duo, but William Saliba and Gabriel were left frazzled by Newcastle's sharpshooter. Isak was, rather unsurprisingly, at the heart of the home side's best moments, using his speed to stretch the Gunners and his impressive physique to retain possession.

But for a few inches, he would have set Newcastle on their way early doors, while his exceptional one-two and subsequent post-rattling thunderbolt forced the eventual opener. He was similarly menacing after the break as he made Arsenal's defence look decidedly amateurish.

Arsenal choke in error-strewn display

Arsenal mistakes proved costly / Michael Regan/GettyImages

Arsenal knew they need the performance of their lives to overturn a two-goal deficit on Tyneside but they gave themselves little hope of a miracle comeback. Continuous defensive errors, errant passes and risky decisions made their task impossible shortly after half-time.

Newcastle had been ruthless in the first leg despite creating few clear-cut chances but they found it far simpler to carve open Arsenal on this occasion. Saliba and Gabriel both produced nervy performances, while Raya's unnecessary pass into midfield gift-wrapped the Magpies' second of the evening.

Much like in the Champions League quarter-final last season, Arsenal have choked over two legs with the pressure ramped up. They were no match for Newcastle's intensity across the tie and have only themselves to blame for an underwhelming exit.