Eddie Howe remains cautious ahead of the second leg of the League Cup semi-final against Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.
Despite a stunning 2-0 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, Newcastle United’s manager Eddie Howe is not letting his guard down. With the second leg still to come, Howe is determined to keep his team grounded and focused on the challenge ahead.
On Tuesday, Newcastle silenced Arsenal in their own backyard with two clinical goals—one from Alexander Isak in the first half and another from Anthony Gordon early in the second half. Arsenal dominated possession with 70% and attempted 23 shots, but only three were on target. Newcastle, on the other hand, made their chances count with four of their seven attempts hitting the target.
Isak’s opener in the 37th minute marked his 50th goal for Newcastle across all competitions and his 15th of the season. Gordon’s second-half strike was his sixth of the campaign and his 19th overall for the club.
The defeat ended Arsenal’s 12-match unbeaten streak across all competitions, while Newcastle celebrated their seventh consecutive victory. Historically, teams that win the first leg of a semi-final by two goals away from home have always reached the final since the 1987-88 season, but Arsenal face a steep climb to overturn the deficit.
Eddie Howe, while pleased with the result, remains pragmatic. He emphasized that there’s still work to be done to secure a place in the final.
“Our recent performances away from home show how big this win is for us. The team played with real confidence and belief, but the fight is far from over. The tie is still balanced, and we know the second leg at home will be a tough battle,” Howe said.
Newcastle showcased impressive resilience in the first half, but fatigue crept in during the second. Howe acknowledged the shift in their approach, focusing more on defense as Arsenal pushed for a comeback.
“In the second half, we started to tire. We came out with great energy initially, but as we grew tired, we had to concentrate on our defensive shape. We knew where the risks were and managed those situations well,” he added.
The second leg is scheduled for early February at St. James’ Park. Newcastle last reached the League Cup final in 2023 under Howe but fell short against Manchester United, extending their trophy drought that dates back to 1955. This time, they’ll be hoping to take the final step toward lifting the silverware.
