For the first time a race director could explain in real time the decisions made after the VAR control: there was no need. In the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final Isak and Gordon decide at the Gunners’ home
Everyone was waiting for the speaking referee, the first time in English football of a match referee who explains in real time the reasons for a VAR decision after having made it, speaking to the entire stadium over the loudspeaker. The absolute protagonist at the Emirates, however, is Newcastle, who took the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final with a 2-0 win over Arsenal, putting a good bet on qualifying for the final on March 16 at Wembley (it would be the second in three years for the Magpies after 50 years of waiting) to be certified in the return match at home on 5 February. It is the seventh consecutive victory for Sandro Tonali and his teammates, one that certifies how much they have increased their level in the last month. And one that costs Arsenal their first defeat of the year at home, the first ever since 6 November (1-0 at San Siro by Inter in the Champions League) and makes Arteta and his team lose many certainties in a January 9 games in 29 days which is not going as planned for now.
THE KEYS
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Newcastle won because they have the best striker in the Premier League: Alexander Isak. He is the one who unlocks the lead in the 37th minute, shortly after Arsenal had hit a sensational post through Gabriel Martinelli: it is his 50th goal for the Magpies since August 2022 (only Haaland with 105 and Salah with 73 have scored more than him in the period among the Premier League attackers), one that allows him to score for the 5th match in a row and for the eighth time in the last 9. The Swede, best on the pitch, is a cyclone who he also had a hand in the second goal. Tonali also put his signature on the match, for an hour the only Italian on the pitch (then Jorginho joined Arsenal, Calafiori instead remained on the bench): Sandro, still in front of the defence, is less exceptional than other times, but still essential both in helping the attack and in lending a hand to the defense, which also thanks to him in the series of 7 successes conceded just two goals. It is no coincidence that Newcastle have taken off in the last month as Tonali is playing his best football since arriving in England. It’s a turning point that Arsenal would also need, as they find themselves half a foot out of the League Cup they wanted to try to win in order to break the deadlock and take the last step towards that elite level for which they only need one victory. The Gunners once again had control of the game but created little, punished by Newcastle’s cynicism and their inability, which is becoming chronic, to finish. A flaw that needs to be corrected quickly: it’s true that you have until February 5th to think about how to overturn this semi-final, but Arsenal are in the third act of a January of 9 games in 29 days which for now isn’t going as it should. the forecasts.
THE MATCH
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Arsenal’s big chance, a counterattack that sends Martinelli alone into the area, ends up against the post. Newcastle’s, Isak finally in a good position in the area, ends up with the lead in the 37th minute and the 1-0 lead from which the second half starts again (Dubravka makes sure of this with a great save from Gabriel in the final). It doesn’t last long, because after 6′ Newcastle are celebrating again, with Gordon making it 2-0 by collecting a short clearance from Raya on Isak. Howe shortly afterwards changed formation and switched to a 5-man defence: Newcastle defended so well that Arsenal, despite controlling the game, had no real opportunities. And so at the end of the match, in the cold of the Emirates Stadium, it was Tonali and his teammates who celebrated in front of their seven thousand wild fans.
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