Mikel Arteta issues blunt five-word verdict on Newcastle United after Arsenal Carabao Cup exit

Mikel Arteta refrained from offering much praise for Newcastle United after Arsenal suffered a 2-0 defeat in the Carabao Cup semi-final at St. James’ Park.

Jacob Murphy and Anthony Gordon found the net in each half, sealing Newcastle’s place in the final. With a 4-0 aggregate victory, the Magpies dominated the tie, having already secured a 2-0 win at the Emirates in the first leg.

This result added to Newcastle’s growing superiority over Arsenal, as they also claimed a 1-0 Premier League victory at St. James’ Park in November. Out of Arsenal’s five defeats across all competitions this season, Eddie Howe’s side inflicted three without conceding a single goal.

When asked about the challenge Newcastle posed, Arteta’s response was brief and direct. He acknowledged Newcastle as a tough opponent but offered little elaboration.

The match marked Arsenal’s 11th fixture in just over a month, and Arteta admitted fatigue played a role. He pointed to the team’s exhaustion, both physically and emotionally, and suggested that belief had wavered toward the end.

The early disallowed goal set the tone, and despite two key chances, Arsenal failed to capitalize. As the game slipped away, so did their hopes of overturning the deficit.

The manager recognized the difficulty of the task following the first-leg loss and admitted that the defeat would be painful to process. He emphasized the importance of using their upcoming training camp in Dubai to reset and refocus.

The Carabao Cup final is set for Sunday, March 16, at Wembley Stadium, where Newcastle will face either Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs hold a narrow 1-0 advantage heading into the second leg at Anfield against the defending champions and Premier League leaders.

Newcastle last reached the final in 2023, only to fall 2-0 to Manchester United. Despite their strong performances in recent years, the club has yet to win the competition in its 65-year history. A victory at Wembley would not only secure the elusive trophy but also mark the end of a 70-year wait for domestic silverware.