Arsenal's key strength becomes their biggest weakness on damaging night in Newcastle | OneFootball

William Saliba, Gabriel and David Raya had no answer to Newcastle’s press

On a night when Arsenal needed goals, it ended up being their defence that let them down.

Just three days before the second leg of this Carabao Cup semi-final, Arsenal had shackled Erling Haaland and the Manchester City attack on their way to a 5-1 win.

But they were all over the place at Newcastle as Eddie Howe’s side booked themselves a place in next month’s final at Wembley.

It is difficult to remember a time when Gabriel and William Saliba have looked so shaky at the back and they, more than anyone in the Arsenal squad, will be glad to see the back of Newcastle and replace it with the sunshine of Dubai.

The Swede thought he had scored inside the opening five minutes, only for VAR to come to Arsenal’s rescue by ruling him offside.

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It could not save Arsenal 15 minutes later, though, as Isak struck the post with a brilliant left-footed strike. Jacob Murphy was there to score the rebound and Newcastle had a 3-0 lead on aggregate and one foot in the final.

The first goal always felt vital in this game if Arsenal were to mount a historic comeback.

No side has ever overturned a two-goal deficit after losing at home in the first leg of a League Cup semi-final.

Arsenal came close to getting that all-important first goal. But seconds after Martin Odegaard hit the post, Murphy stuck.

The goal gave belief and fuel to an already rampant St. James’ Park, and settled any pre-match nerves.

Newcastle played with a back-five, but they pressed relentlessly from the front. At times, the looming presence of Dan Burn was hunting Arsenal players down all the way by the Gunners’ penalty area.

That seemed to unsettle Arsenal, who looked especially vulnerable when Newcastle hit them on the counter.

Mikel Arteta’s side had 69 per cent possession in the first half, however it was the hosts that looked the most threatening.

Gabriel and Saliba could not deal with Anthony Gordon, who was getting joy out left and setup Isak for his goal that was ruled out in the opening five minutes.

Never before have Saliba, Gabriel and Raya performed so badly

There was an unusual nervousness about Arsenal’s defence and that continued into the second half.

Gabriel headed the ball to Saliba after Newcastle had launched a speculative pass forward, and the Frenchman was caught out trying to turn Gordon.

He got away with it, as Gordon dragged the shot wide. But, three minutes later, that luck ran out.

This time it was David Raya that was at fault. The Spaniard played a poor pass to Declan Rice, who was tackled by Fabian Schar right on the edge of the area.

Gordon could not miss this time and he celebrated by the corner, waving a scarf in front of the jubilant Newcastle fans.

The tie was well and truly dead after that. It became a case of damage limitation for Arsenal, who had already seen Gabriel Martinelli come off in the first half with what looked like a hamstring injury.

As the game ticked past the hour mark, Leandro Trossard and Odegaard were taken off for Mikel Merino and Raheem Sterling. A sign that Arteta agreed the game was done.

Arsenal fly to Dubai on Thursday morning for some warm-weather training, with their next game not until a week on Saturday at Leicester.

A rest is just what many of this squad need after a gruelling January and a painful night at Newcastle.