Arsenal’s hopes of progressing to the Carabao Cup final were severely dented after a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle in the first leg of their semi-final.
Despite dominating large periods of the match, Mikel Arteta’s side was unable to break down Newcastle’s defense, with a number of missed chances haunting them throughout the game.
Ex-Premier League striker Troy Deeney was particularly critical of two players, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, accusing them of “going missing” during crucial moments.
Deeney pointed out that while Arsenal tried to play through Newcastle’s defense using their usual patterns, they failed to break down the defensive wall of five players.
Havertz, who had a great opportunity to pull a goal back late in the game, and Jesus were both highlighted for not stepping up when their team needed them most.
Deeney emphasized that Arsenal’s inability to break through Newcastle’s defensive setup and their struggles to finish chances reflected a long-standing issue for the team: the lack of a reliable striker.
“We’ve thrown at Arsenal’s door for the last two years, they need a striker and every year Mikel chooses not to do that,” Deeney noted. The criticism pointed to a growing concern over Arsenal’s attacking depth and their tendency to fall short in key moments.
Despite the setback, Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta remained optimistic about his team’s chances in the second leg. “We generated a lot of situations, but it is true, they defended the box very well,” Arteta explained.
He also noted that in a semi-final, Arsenal’s players needed to be more clinical, particularly in one-on-one situations.
While Arteta expressed belief in a potential turnaround, the pressure is mounting as the Gunners look to recover from a two-goal deficit in the return leg at St James’ Park.
As Arsenal aim to salvage their Carabao Cup hopes, the criticism surrounding their attacking players and their inability to convert chances will likely continue to loom over the team