2 positives & 3 negatives from Arsenal's 0-2 defeat to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup

Arsenal have a mountain to climb after Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon scored for Newcastle at the Emirates Stadium. The Magpies are now in full control of the Carabao Cup semi-final after a night of few positives for the Gunners.

There are no silver linings, no mitigating factors, nor any bigger picture to look to for consolation. Not after how easily Newcastle handled Arsenal en route to a 2-0 win in north London. Forget xG, forget possession.

The Magpies were more aggressive in their intent and more controlled with their execution. They left the Gunners outfought and out-thought.

There should be significant fallout from what felt like a particularly low point for Mikel Arteta. The manager and his project have been protected species for too long, so this result should at least prompt a more open critique of Arteta's tenure, including an acknowledgement of where he's come up short.

Arteta is nothing if not a lucky general, so he could turn this around on February 5. If only it wasn't for pesky details like a dire recent record at St. James' Park, combined with an injury-hit Arsenal squad lacking composure at the back, imagination in midfield and efficiency in the final third.

Newcastle had the latter thanks to a player Arteta should have opened the chequebook for long ago.

2 positives & 3 negatives from Arsenal's 0-2 defeat vs. Newcastle

Positive #1: Alexander Isak gave Arsenal a reason to buy

If Arteta isn't pleading with Josh Kroenke to loosen the pursestrings for Isak after this display, something is very wrong within the corridors of power at Arsenal. Isak is everything this tame, toothless team needs, and he proved it with an object lesson in how to play lone striker at the highest level.

Smart movement in and out of the channels, allied with neat and sure touches, along with direct pace, helped in-form Isak tie the Arsenal back four in knots. He had central defenders Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba chasing shadows.

Granted, both Saliba and Magalhaes showed signs of frailty during the recent 1-1 draw at Brighton in the Premier League. Yet, it's been a long time since the duo was bullied as easily as this by a single player.

So why aren't Arsenal going all in for Isak? Perhaps Arteta is worried about the 25-year-old's injury record. Not hard to spot the irony in that argument given the current crowd in Arsenal's treatment room.

It's cost then, right? Don't make me laugh. A manager who has spent more freely than a Billionaire's favourite child on a long weekender can't seriously be suddenly worried about price tags. Not after what Arsenal paid for Thomas Partey, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Gabriel Jesus, Declan Rice and Kai Havertz.

Stop dithering, Mikel and Co. Find the money and pay up for Isak before a smarter, more determined club swoops first.

Negative #1: Kai Havertz out of sorts

Isak turning in a Thierry Henry-esque performance only underlined Arsenal's lack of riches up top. The problem is deteriorating form, personified most by Kai Havertz.

The player who looked like Robin van Persie mark II at times last season, now resembles more the one who rarely found his range for Chelsea. Havertz was a step behind the play too often against Newcastle, and when he did catch up, the German was bullied by defenders Dan Burn and Sven Botman.

Havertz fluffed his lines even when good fortune sent a chance his way. Like when he mistimed his jump and got nothing more than a shoulder to what should have been a free header inside the six-yard box during the second half.

The recent revival of Gabriels Jesus' form made it easier to cope with Havertz being out of sorts in the Premier League. Cup action showed his struggles still carry a high price for the Gunners.

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