Mikel Arteta speaks out on Alexander Isak’s devastating display against Arsenal

Mikel Arteta acknowledged Alexander Isak’s undeniable influence on Newcastle’s commanding Carabao Cup victory over Arsenal. With a two-goal advantage from the first leg, Eddie Howe’s side showed no signs of sitting back.

Instead, they attacked relentlessly, overwhelming the Gunners with intensity and precision at St. James’ Park. Isak, a constant threat in previous encounters, wasted no time making his presence felt.

In just the fourth minute, he appeared to extend his impressive scoring record against Arsenal with a stunning finish, only for VAR to intervene and rule the goal out for a marginal offside.

Undeterred, the Swedish striker continued tormenting Arsenal’s defense, outmaneuvering William Saliba before unleashing a powerful effort that crashed against the post. While frustration momentarily set in, Jacob Murphy reacted quickest to the rebound, burying the ball into the net to put Newcastle ahead.

Isak maintained his dominance, causing Saliba constant problems before being substituted in the final minutes to a well-deserved standing ovation. His performance reignited discussions about Arsenal’s long-standing interest in the striker, with many seeing him as the missing piece in their attacking lineup.

Whether the Gunners will revive their pursuit of the 25-year-old remains uncertain, as the club refrained from making any significant moves in the January transfer window.

Arteta, however, refused to be drawn into speculation regarding Newcastle’s star forward, offering only a measured response when questioned about Isak’s performance.

He avoided assessing opposition players individually but conceded that the striker’s involvement had been decisive in key moments.

With Arsenal now out of the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup, Arteta is set to take his squad to Dubai for a warm-weather training camp. A similar mid-season trip last year coincided with a surge in form that nearly secured Arsenal the Premier League title.

The manager hopes history repeats itself as his team remains in contention for the biggest honors. While he acknowledged fatigue played a role in Arsenal’s underwhelming display, he hesitated to attribute the loss solely to their packed schedule.

The frequency of matches had taken its toll physically and emotionally, but Arteta emphasized that belief remained crucial throughout the contest. Unfortunately for Arsenal, the game slipped away before they could mount a comeback.

Arteta admitted the defeat was tough to take, especially given the expectations surrounding the match. The uphill battle created by the first-leg result left little room for error, and Arsenal failed to produce the performance needed to turn the tie around.

Now, the focus shifts forward. The manager acknowledged the disappointment but stressed the importance of using the upcoming break to recharge and refocus. Despite the setback, Arsenal still has plenty to fight for, and Arteta remains determined to ensure his squad is ready to compete at the highest level once they return from Dubai.