David Raya faced heavy criticism following Arsenal’s disappointing 2-0 defeat to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg at St James’ Park. The result sealed a comprehensive 4-0 aggregate victory for the Magpies, who will now prepare for a Wembley final against either Liverpool or Tottenham.
Newcastle’s high-intensity pressing proved too much for Arsenal, with manager Eddie Howe deploying an aggressive man-to-man strategy. A key focus was Fabian Schar, who relentlessly pursued Declan Rice deep into Arsenal’s half.
That pressure paid off in the second half when goalkeeper Raya attempted a short pass to Rice, who was already being closed down. Schar’s last-ditch slide tackle poked the ball into Anthony Gordon’s path, allowing him to slot it past Raya.
Jamie Carragher took to social media to criticize the tactic, urging managers to stop instructing goalkeepers to play risky passes into midfield under pressure. “Keepers need to be banned from playing those passes into midfield players,” the Liverpool legend posted on X.
Mikel Arteta acknowledged that his side lacked sharpness but did not single out Raya’s decision as a mistake. Speaking to Sky Sports, he admitted, “We needed to be more efficient in key moments, and today we weren’t. That’s what separates teams that win trophies from the rest.”
Newcastle’s success was a result of meticulous preparation, with Howe revealing that their pressing strategy was only introduced on Monday. “We felt we needed more height and solidity at the back, and the players executed the plan perfectly,” Howe said. He particularly praised Schar for his tireless effort in marking Rice all over the pitch.
Newcastle captain Bruno Guimarães credited Howe for his tactical work, while Gordon emphasized the importance of scoring first. “The gaffer made slight tweaks, and Arsenal struggled to handle our press. He deserves all the credit,” Gordon said.
With this emphatic victory, Newcastle march on to Wembley, while Arsenal’s search for silverware continues.