Alan Shearer has summed up how every Newcastle United fan is feeling ahead of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Arsenal.
The Magpies have a 2-0 lead after the first leg, with Newcastle winning against Arsenal at the Emirates last month. Eddie Howe’s side were incredible that night, with goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon giving them the advantage.
But the job is not done. While Newcastle United are the favourites to reach the final, Arsenal will be focussed on a comeback. And while they come into the game on the back of a 5-1 win over Manchester City, it is a different story for the Magpies.
Newcastle lost to Fulham on Saturday, with Eddie Howe’s side putting in a really disappointing performance. Alan Shearer said Newcastle were poor against Fulham, with the Magpies now losing back-to-back games at home.
Alan Shearer reveals Newcastle United concern ahead of facing Arsenal
That has increased the pressure on Tyneside, as they aim to return to Wembley after losing there in the 2023 Carabao Cup final. There were already plenty of nerves, but that has only intensified after what happened at the weekend.
Ahead of Wednesday’s game against Arsenal, Gary Lineker has admitted to Alan Shearer on The Rest Is Football podcast that it could be ‘twitchy’ if the Gunners score first.
“Very twitchy,” Shearer replied.
“I’ve already said that to a couple of my pals. I said the one thing we don’t want is Arsenal to score early because I would bet the tension around the ground will be off the charts.
“But yeah, it definitely would concern me because previous home game against Bournemouth they got battered. They didn’t deserve anything out of yesterday’s game with Fulham. Another home game on Wednesday evening, a really, really important one. But they have got a 2-0 lead going into this one, which is slightly different.
“There’s not going to be a question of are they going to be up for it or the atmosphere or anything like that. So the atmosphere will be off the charts. But I think what is key is we must not concede an early goal.”
What happened in Newcastle United’s cup semi-final in 2023
This Newcastle United squad has experience of competing in a two-legged semi-final.
They did it two years ago, as they beat Southampton to advance to the 2023 Carabao Cup final.
Like this year, Newcastle played away in the first leg. They won 1-0 at St Mary’s, with Joelinton scoring the only goal of the game.
They had a very slender lead going into the second leg at St James’ Park, but were quickly able to take control of the tie. Sean Longstaff scored a brace within 21 minutes, before Che Adams scored less than 10 minutes later.
But Newcastle always had at least a two-goal advantage, as they comfortably got over the line to advance to the final.
With all due respect to Southampton, this might not be the same. Arsenal are a different beast, while they will be full of confidence following their 5-1 win over Manchester City.
As Alan Shearer says, it is vital that Newcastle do not concede an early goal.
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