Arsenal's defeat to Newcastle revealed exactly what they're missing

No more than two-thirds - likely less - of the stadium remained as Arsenal hopelessly chucked in their 41st and 42nd crosses into the Newcastle box to no avail. The concentration of red seats at the Emirates and bellowing Geordie noise painted a bleak picture for Mikel Arteta.

xG figures point towards Arsenal misfortune, but the Gunners' comical performance in both boxes meant they got exactly what they deserved. A 2-0 defeat has all but dashed their Carabao Cup hopes.

This was a strange Tuesday night where William Saliba manifested human form, Jorginho shot on sight, and Kai Havertz backed himself as a winger. However, this Arsenal performance was one familiar to the fanbase. This was right out of their 2024/25 vintage.

Arsenal's defeat to Newcastle revealed exactly what they're missing

The Gunners enjoyed territory and much of the ball, with set-pieces constantly causing the Toon Army angst. Never before has a home crowd offered so much excitement following the winning of a corner.

However, while Arsenal troubled Newcastle with their canny mastery of set plays, there was no killer touch. Martin Dubravka functioned more like a heavy-weight boxer than a goalkeeper given the amount of deliveries he opted to punch and the number of Arsenal shots he wasn't required to save. The Gunners racked up 23 in total, but just two were met by Dubravka's gloves - per SofaScore.

The work in the final third was again Arsenal's downfall, with the monotony prevailing over this team only exacerbating defeats.

While the Gunners avoided scoring like the plague, Newcastle were teaching a lesson in ruthless efficiency similar to those lectured by the Germans during their major tournament victories over England pre-Euro 2020.

The Magpies headed into the bout in red-hot form having won their previous seven, and they merely required moments at the Emirates. Fortunately, Eddie Howe is blessed with the remarkable talents of Alexander Isak up top. The Emirates faithful at least got to enjoy a swaggering performance from the Swede when they weren't getting caught up in the exasperation and eventual apathy which followed another squandered Arsenal chance.

Alexander Isak was the difference between the two sides

Isak had scored nine in eight ahead of Tuesday's first leg, with some labelling the contest as an audition for the Newcastle forward. He's the one supporters want to lead the Gunners' line for the long haul, but the Magpies' Champions League trajectory means there's a slim chance of that dream turning into reality anytime soon.

Isak popped up now and then, but almost every action was delivered with conviction. A venerated backline appeared shackled by his mere presence, with the imperious Saliba often a little too far away from the forward to affect his decision-making and subsequent execution. Isak pivoted wonderfully and facilitated Newcastle's rare attacking forays before delivering the crucial sucker punch after a spell of Arsenal pressure.

He shoved meek Martin Odegaard aside and opportunistically pounced after the hosts failed to deal with a Dubravka punt towards the box. Newcastle were 26 games unbeaten after scoring the first goal, and Arsenal's tough task became mountainous when Anthony Gordon gratefully met Isak's saved effort at the start of the second half.

Isak's interventions decided the cup tie. He was the difference; the X-factor Arsenal are bereft of. Arteta knows: "The ball arrived to him [Isak] and he had one of the big chances. That's what you have when you have real quality up front!”

Despite previous interest, Arsenal have never come close enough to signing Isak to suggest this is a "what could've been..." situation, but his silky brilliance with match-winning contributions depicted exactly what's required of Arsenal in the January transfer window.

This is a team, especially with Saka absent, that no longer instills fear. At 2-0, Howe brought off his heavy hitters and went 5-5-0 safe in the knowledge that Arsenal's collection of underperforming goal-getters weren't going to trouble the scorers.

The sheer volume of wasted opportunities means there's room for Mikel Arteta sympathy, but the Spaniard shouldn't be absolved from criticism. The final 20 minutes were reminiscent of the finale in Milan two months ago: a crossing barrage which played right into the hands of the opposing defence. Dan Burn exited the womb heading a football.

Arteta's post-match discussion of the subtle differences between the Carabao Cup and Premier League football points towards a manager who may be starting to feel it. Circumstances have conspired against him this season, but he's responsible - as are several others - for the make-up of this Arsenal team and their on-pitch monotony.

Alexander Isak won't be arriving to salvage Arsenal's season, but alternate forward solutions and hints of innovation from the boss are very much required. 2024/25 has so far been a campaign of stagnation, and regression won't be too far around the corner if the club opts against a personnel refresh this winter.

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