“They struggled to cope with Newcastle’s attacking trio,” Redknapp said, noting that Isak intimidated Arsenal’s defense
For the second consecutive game, Arsenal’s defense struggled to handle Newcastle’s relentless attacking threat in their Carabao Cup clash last night.
Trailing in the tie before the second leg at St. James’ Park, many expected the Gunners to adopt an aggressive attacking approach. With a deficit to overturn, they needed to take control of the game, but they found it difficult to break down a disciplined Newcastle side that executed their defensive strategy flawlessly.
Newcastle effectively neutralized Arsenal’s key attacking players by deploying a well-structured low block. Their resolute defending restricted Arsenal’s ability to create clear chances, frustrating the visitors throughout the match. Despite their efforts to find a breakthrough, the Gunners struggled to penetrate Newcastle’s compact defense, allowing the home side to exploit their vulnerabilities.
Relying on counter-attacks, Newcastle repeatedly exposed Arsenal’s defensive frailties. As Arsenal pushed forward in search of a goal, their backline was frequently left isolated against some of the Premier League’s most dangerous forwards. The Magpies’ attacking pace and movement consistently troubled Arsenal, who appeared defensively fragile whenever Newcastle surged forward.
“I’ve never seen Gabriel and Saliba look so unsettled, and that was down to the quality of Alexander Isak. They usually dominate opponents, but Newcastle’s front three proved too much for them.”
Arsenal’s defenders endured a tough night and will be frustrated by their inability to contain Newcastle’s attack. The team must take lessons from this performance and make the necessary improvements ahead of their next game. Defensive stability has been a key strength for Arsenal this season, but they need to regain their solidity quickly to prevent further setbacks.
