Paul Merson says Newcastle United thoroughly deserved to beat Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-final.
The Magpies took on Arsenal for a place in the Carabao Cup final, and it was Newcastle United who triumphed.
Eddie Howe’s side are off to Wembley, as Newcastle beat Arsenal 2-0 on the night. That meant the Magpies won 4-0 on aggregate. They were dominant over two legs, as Newcastle fans mocked Mikel Arteta following his comments about the ball at the Emirates Stadium.
Newcastle have now played against Arsenal three times this season, winning all three encounters without conceding a single goal. That is a testament to Eddie Howe’s tactical ability, while it is a damning indictment of Arsenal’s attack.
Paul Merson makes ’embarrassing’ claim after Newcastle United beat Arsenal
The Gunners were incredibly disappointing on Wednesday night. They had to go for it at St James’ Park, but struggled to create much as they folded under the pressure on Tyneside.
Arteta must feel let down by his side, while Paul Merson has admitted on X that Arsenal’s performance over two legs was ‘quite embarrassing’.
“Disappointing yesterday for Arsenal,” he said.
“Newcastle were outstanding, but over two legs it’s quite embarrassing really. No disrespect to Newcastle. Over one leg, 90 minutes, anything can happen. But over two legs, I thought Newcastle thoroughly deserved it. I thought they were absolutely outstanding on the night and thoroughly deserved it.
“But 4-0 over two legs is not great. It’s not a great showing. Very disappointing.
“Good luck to Newcastle. Unless you’re a Sunderland, Tottenham or Liverpool fan, who doesn’t want Newcastle to win this cup now? I surely do. Good luck Newcastle. Very disappointing night for Arsenal.”
Eddie Howe’s record at Newcastle against Mikel Arteta
Merson is right. If you are of an Arsenal persuasion, that was pretty embarrassing. To lose 2-0 at home was bad, and then they did it again in the return fixture.
But the semi-final was more about Newcastle United being good. It was about the Magpies’ attackers delivering, with Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon torturing the Arsenal defence. It was about Newcastle’s defence being resolute, with Dan Burn and Sven Botman playing incredibly well in both legs.
It was also about Eddie Howe. The Newcastle United manager got his tactics spot on in both games, as he continues to prove why he is one of the Premier League’s brightest coaches. We truly are lucky to have him at St James’ Park.
Arteta must be sick of the sight of Howe, as the Toon boss really has his number as of late.
Since becoming Newcastle manager, Howe has faced Arteta nine times. He has won five, lost three and drawn one.
A lot of those games have been real battles, but it is the Magpies who are coming out on top more often than not. That was the case on Wednesday night, as Newcastle United booked their place in the 2025 Carabao Cup final.
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