Newcastle Defeat Arsenal, Inch Closer to League Cup Final Appearance

Newcastle's path to the League Cup final got a major boost with a 2-0 victory over Arsenal in the first leg of their semi-final matchup. Goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon secured the win for the Magpies, who are seeking their first major trophy since 1969. Isak's stellar form as the top striker in England was on display as he scored the opener and set up Gordon for the second goal. Arsenal now face a daunting task in the second leg on February 5 as they look to overcome the deficit and advance to the final, where they would face either Tottenham or Liverpool.

"It's massive. it's a great result but it's only the first half," said Isak after Newcastle's seventh consecutive win and first at the Emirates since 2010.

"If we don't go through then this has no meaning."

The importance of silverware to both clubs was reflected in the line-ups as Mikel Arteta and Eddie Howe named their strongest available teams.

Arteta has brought Arsenal back into contention for Premier League titles in recent seasons, but his only trophy in charge of the Gunners came five years ago by lifting the FA Cup in the early months of his reign.

The home side were able to welcome back Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli from the side that started Saturday's 1-1 draw at Brighton.

But Arsenal's lack of a lethal striker like Isak proved the difference between the sides.

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Arsenal had the majority of the ball and the chances but failed to make them count.

"That was the biggest difference in the game. In every other aspect, we were the better team," said Arteta on his side's wasted chances.

"I have full belief. I have seen my team playing against them. I believe we can do it!"

Martinelli came closest when he raced onto Leandro Trossard's pass and smashed against the post.

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Moments later came the sucker punch. Arsenal, so renowned for their own set-piece threat, allowed a long free-kick into their box to fall at the feet of Isak who fired in off the underside of the bar.

The Swede's 14th goal in his last 15 games took him to 50 in a Newcastle shirt -- doing so in five fewer matches than it took the club's record goalscorer Alan Shearer.

Isak had a major role to play in what could be a decisive second goal in the tie just after the break.

This time the Newcastle striker's quick feet allowed him to get a shot off that was parried by David Raya into the path of the onrushing Gordon to fire in the rebound.

Arsenal should still have made their mammoth task for the return leg in Tyneside next month a more manageable one.

Havertz somehow miscued a header wide with the goal gaping to cut the arrears.

Howe replaced Isak and Gordon as Newcastle were happy to just to protect their lead in a 5-5-0 formation for the final 20 minutes.

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Arsenal, though, lacked the guile to break them down without the injured Bukayo Saka to seemingly extend their wait for Arteta's revolution to deliver another trophy.

(This story has not been edited by staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)