Arsenal suffered a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday night.
Carabao Cup
Result: Arsenal 0-2 Newcastle United
Date: 08 January 2025
Venue: Emirates Stadium
Gunners coach Mikel Arteta made five changes from the draw with Brighton and Hove Albion, as Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, Martin Lewis-Skelly, Gabriel Martinelli, and Timber.
The Gunners should have gone ahead after 12 minutes from one of their trademark corners but full-back Timber somehow sent his header over from six-yards out.
Th home side managed to carve out another big chance on 29 minutes when Leandro Trossard's first-time sent Martinelli through on goal, but the Brazilian hit the upright with only Matt Dubravka to beat.
Arsenal were made to rue that miss almost ten minutes later when Jacob Murphy got on the end of a free-kick and laid the ball off for Alexander Isak, who rifled the ball in off the crossbar for his 15th goal of the season.
Newcastle only needed five minutes into the second half to secure second goal as Anthony Gordon was on hand turn home at the near post after David Raya could only parry Isak' powerful strike.
Arteta responded by introducing Jorginho and Gabriel Jesus for Thomas Partey and Trossard, while Newcastle threw on Sean Longstaff and former Gunner Joe Willock for the final 30 minutes.
The Gunners threw everything forward in search of a way back into the contest as the likes of Odegaard and Havertz saw their efforts blocked in the box by a sea of bodies in the Newcastle box.
There was to be no reward for the Gunners, who will head to the second leg two goals behind next month.
