Arsenal's Carabao Cup hopes rocked as Newcastle extend winning run - 5 talking points

Arsenal have a mountain to climb after they failed to make home advantage count and were beaten 2-0 by in-form Newcastle in their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.

Alexander Isak scored his 10th goal in nine games as Newcastle extended their remarkable winning run to seven on the trot. Anthony Gordon also came up with a goal to leave Mikel Arteta and Co. with a huge task in the second leg at St James' Park.

The Gunners looked lethargic and lost on home soil for the first time since last April, seemingly feeling a hangover from Saturday's deflating 1-1 draw at Brighton which dented their already thin Premier League title hopes. Newcastle, on the other hand, can't stop winning and claimed their second victory in north London in the space of four days, with a trip to Wembley now tantalisingly close.

Here are five talking points from the Emirates.

1. Dubravka starts amid 'imminent' Saudi move

It's not often a player starts for their club when they're on the verge of leaving. But for Martin Dubravka, it was business as usual. The Newcastle goalkeeper is reportedly close to joining Saudi Arabian side Al-Shabab, with GiveMeSport breaking the news just over three hours before kick-off.

Dubravka, though, was named in the starting line-up, still deputising for the injured Nick Pope. The Slovakian has been excellent since replacing Pope and played a key role in their recent resurgence, so Eddie Howe could try and keep him. Dubravka was tested early in the match, making a series of interventions as Newcastle settled into the game.

2. Isak shows Arsenal what they're missing

Minutes after Gabriel Martinelli rattled the post with what proved to be Arsenal's clearest chance of the first half, Newcastle scored a goal out of nothing thanks to a proper finisher. The Magpies had enjoyed an early spell of pressure with tricky play, but it was the direct approach that worked for Eddie Howe's men.

A deep free-kick from Dubravka was flicked on by Sven Botman and Jacob Murphy nipped in front of Declan Rice to - intentionally or not - lay the ball into the path of the man Arsenal have been linked with signing in the January transfer window: Alexander Isak. The Swede, who is valued at £150million by Newcastle, showed his lethal instinct to fire past David Raya via the crossbar, netting his 15th goal of the season and 50th in Newcastle colours.

That's five games in a row Isak has now scored in, having also bagged a goal in north London against Tottenham on Saturday. Arsenal could certainly do with a striker of that vein.

How much is Alexander Isak worth? Have your say in the comments section.

3. Gunners go down like Timber

Trailing by one goal a quarter of the way through a semi-final shouldn't be the time for panic stations, but Arsenal needed to start the second half strongly. The Gunners would find themselves two goals adrift within seven minutes, though, as Anthony Gordon caught Jurrien Timber napping.

Isak was at the centre once again, pulling off a shot despite being surrounded by three Arsenal players. His decent effort was tipped aside by Raya and Gordon was Johnny-on-the-spot to slot home. Former Arsenal right-back Lee Dixon slammed Timber's concentration on commentary for ITV and to rub salt in their sounds, Gordon pulled out the iconic Thierry Henry celebration using the corner flag in front of a rocking away end.

4. Havertz misses golden opportunity

Back from illness and straight into the starting line-up, Kai Havertz needed to show why Gabriel Jesus was only a temporary solution for Mikel Arteta. The German was quiet for the opening hour but was given a golden opportunity to pull one back just as Newcastle began to get airtight at the back.

Leandro Trossard delivered a cross into the penalty area and after a deflection off Lewis Hall, the ball came to Havertz who was free on the edge of the six yard box. It seemed like a routine finish for Arsenal's No.29, but he added to the growing argument that Arteta really does need to sign a striker by failing to connect cleanly and shouldering the ball wide of the post.

5. We'll meet again

With Tottenham due to host Liverpool in the other semi-final on Wednesday, Newcastle and Arsenal will now focus on another cup competition and the Premier League before the second leg four weeks' time.

Newcastle welcome League Two side Bromley to St James' Park in the FA Cup third round on Sunday while Arsenal will play Manchester United. The Gunners even have two Champions League fixtures before the second leg up north on February 5, so plenty can happen between now and then.

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