Isak stars as Newcastle expose Arsenal's failings

A night that was about whether you could take your chances; for goals, and maybe for finals.

- MIGUEL DELANEY

The overly cynical might even say it was for showing what you can really do in front of a certain audience, especially in regards to Alexander Isak. Arsenal’s widely reported interest in the Swede added another strand to a narrative-rich Carabao Cup semi-final, and his presence ended up deciding how this 2-0 win went.

Newcastle United would rightly bristle at that being the focus of a match that might end up sending them to Wembley for the second time in three years. Arsenal do still have a second leg in a month to overturn this, but that will be at an intimidating St James’ Park, where the crowd will see this trophy as being about so much more than this trophy. The Saudi Arabian project has felt like it has needed a lift after a long lull, and this might be it. Recent issues have fed a debate over whether the controversial ownership are overseeing the club in the fulsome manner they have at other projects, but their willingness to spend what they can has given Newcastle one of the finest players in world football right now.

There are few that can match Isak’s form. He is sensational, as effective as he is joyously effervescent. There is a real spark to his play.

His impact here, scoring one goal and setting up the other, was all the more pronounced given the obvious context. Arsenal are looking for another forward and badly need one, with that so clearly displayed in the number of chances they missed.