In a disappointing outing for Arsenal, Newcastle United emerged victorious with a 2-0 win in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final at the Emirates Stadium. The match featured an impressive performance from Newcastle's Alexander Isak, who scored the opening goal in the 37th minute and played a crucial role in the second goal netted by Anthony Gordon shortly after halftime. Arsenal struggled to convert their numerous chances, managing only three shots on target from a total of 23 attempts.

The Gunners dominated possession and had several opportunities, particularly from set pieces, but were unable to find the back of the net. Isak capitalized on a defensive lapse from Arsenal, finishing off a long ball that exposed the home side's vulnerabilities. After the break, Gordon doubled Newcastle's lead, taking advantage of a rebound from a shot by Isak that was parried by Arsenal's goalkeeper, David Raya.

Despite the loss, Arsenal's manager Mikel Arteta emphasized that his team performed better in many aspects of the game, crediting Newcastle's clinical finishing as the main difference. The defeat marks a challenging moment for Arsenal, as they are now six points behind Liverpool in the Premier League and face a significant task to overturn the two-goal deficit in the second leg at St James' Park on February 5. Meanwhile, Newcastle continues to build momentum, extending their winning streak to seven games across all competitions and dreaming of ending a 55-year trophy drought.