Newcastle United send Piers Morgan into meltdown as Carabao Cup win over Arsenal feels even sweeter
Arsenal had no answer for Newcastle United’s relentless performance as they crashed out of the Carabao Cup in a dominant display from Eddie Howe’s side.
With a two-goal cushion from the first leg, Newcastle capitalized on the electric atmosphere at St. James’ Park, securing a 2-0 victory on the night and a commanding 4-0 win on aggregate. It was one of Howe’s most tactically astute performances, demonstrating his ability to adapt under pressure.
The introduction of Sven Botman in place of the injured Joelinton proved to be a masterstroke, with Lewis Hall seamlessly shifting between central midfield and left-wing back to ensure Newcastle controlled all aspects of the game.
Newcastle’s confidence extended beyond the pitch, as they mocked Mikel Arteta on social media following his controversial comments after the first leg, where he blamed the ball for Arsenal’s defeat at the Emirates.
The home crowd joined in the fun, chanting in unison to remind Arteta of his unusual excuse. Meanwhile, club legend Alan Shearer shared a lighthearted exchange with Ian Wright, highlighting Alexander Isak’s dominant performance against Arsenal’s center-backs.
Gabriel and William Saliba struggled to contain the Swedish striker, who consistently created problems for the Gunners’ defense. Shearer also heaped praise on Newcastle captain Bruno Guimarães, calling his performance ‘brilliant’ as he dictated play in midfield.
The defeat left Arsenal fans frustrated, with television personality and die-hard supporter Piers Morgan leading the outrage on social media.
Known for his outspoken opinions on his beloved club, Morgan did not hold back after Newcastle’s official X account jokingly referred to the Carabao Cup ball as “the culprit” for Arsenal’s loss. He directed his frustration at Arteta, criticizing the manager for failing to sign a proper striker, a decision he believes has cost Arsenal any realistic shot at silverware this season.
Despite Isak not getting on the scoresheet, he delivered a performance that served as a painful reminder of what Arsenal missed out on in the January transfer window. The club had shown interest in signing the Newcastle star, but the reported £150 million asking price was beyond their budget.
With exits from both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, Arsenal’s trophy hopes now rest on their Premier League and Champions League campaigns. The pressure is on Arteta’s side to challenge Liverpool for domestic glory or go all the way in Europe.
Meanwhile, Newcastle must now prove that their confidence and banter weren’t misplaced by going to Wembley and securing the Carabao Cup. Their final opponent will be determined when Liverpool face Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield, with Spurs carrying a narrow one-goal advantage into the decisive clash.
The Magpies have a limited history of silverware, but Howe remains determined to end the club’s 70-year wait for a domestic trophy.
Injuries have posed challenges for Newcastle, but the squad should receive a boost before the final, with Joelinton expected to return after missing several weeks due to a knee injury.
The Brazilian midfielder was seen watching the victory from the sidelines, proudly wearing a classic Newcastle jersey with Shearer’s name and number on the back. With a month to prepare for the biggest game of their season, Newcastle will now shift their focus to ensuring they are in peak condition to claim silverware at Wembley.