Arsenal 0-2 Newcastle: Player Ratings as Isak and Gordon hand the Magpies a major advantage in the first leg

Arsenal hosted Newcastle at the Emirates Stadium in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-finals and fell to a disappointing 2-0 defeat to the Magpies.

Despite dominating possession in the first period, the Gunners were unable to fire most of their shots on target and barely tested Martin Dubravka. On the other end, Alexander Isak pounced on the first chance he got to make it 1-0 to Newcastle after 37 minutes. The visitors led 1-0 at the break.

The Magpies continued their onslaught early in the second half as Jacob Murphy and Isak played a crucial role in setting up Anthony Gordon for 2-0 after 51 minutes. Arsenal had 80% of the ball thereafter and attempted nine shots, but in vain, as none of them were on target.

Newcastle will take a 2-0 lead into the second leg next month. On that note, let’s take a look at the player ratings.

Arsenal Player Ratings vs Newcastle

Goalkeeper

David Raya – 6.5/10

Raya made two saves but ended up on the losing side.

Defenders

Jurrien Timber – 6.5/10

Timber missed a glorious chance to score in the first half. However, he won three duels and made two tackles.

William Saliba – 7/10

Saliba won four duels, making six clearances and one tackle. He also played one key pass.

Gabriel Magalhaes – 6.5/10

Gabriel won one of his two duels and attempted three shots, with just one on target.

Myles Lewis-Skelly – 6.5/10

He had a decent game on the left side of defence and played for 78 minutes.

Midfielders

Martin Odegaard – 6.5/10

Odegaard failed to impact the game much as he went under the radar for most of the time.

Thomas Partey – 6.5/10

Partey had a decent game in midfield and was subbed off at the hour-mark.

Declan Rice – 8.5/10

Rice had a great individual game as he played five key passes and three accurate crosses. He also won eight duels and dribbled past three players.

Forwards

Gabriel Martinelli – 6.5/10

He was sharp in the first half and smashed a shot onto the right post. He also played one key pass.

Kai Havertz – 6.5/10

Havertz had a disappointing game and missed a clear chance in the second half.

Leandro Trossard – 7.5/10

Trossard was sharp on the ball and had a decent game. He played three key passes and won three duels.

Substitutes

Jorginho – 7/10

The Italian came on and made an instant impact as he added composure to Arsenal’s midfield.

Gabriel Jesus – 6.5/10

Jesus replaced Trossard but could not impact the proceedings.

Oleksandr Zinchenko – 7/10

Zinchenko replaced Lewis-Skelly and had a good cameo.

Manager

Mikel Arteta – 6.5/10

He got his tactics right but the players underperformed in a disappointing defeat.

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Newcastle Player Ratings vs Arsenal

Goalkeeper

Martin Dubravka – 7.5/10

Dubravka made two saves and two high claims as he kept a clean sheet for Newcastle.

Defenders

Valentino Livramento – 7.5/10

He won both his duels and also made eight clearances. Livramento also played one key pass.

Sven Botman – 8/10

Botman was solid in defence as he won eight of nine duels, making eight clearances and one block.

Dan Burn – 8/10

Burn had a great game at the back as well as he won five of six duels, making six clearances and two blocks.

Lewis Hall – 6.5/10

Hall had a decent game on the left except the fact that he was dribbled past twice.

Midfielders

Joe Willock – 6.5/10

Willock had a decent game against his former club and was subbed off in the second half.

Sandro Tonali – 7.5/10

Tonali won both his duels in midfield, making four blocks, two clearances and one interception.

Joelinton – 6.5/10

The Brazilian had an average game in midfield for the Magpies.

Forwards

Jacob Murphy – 7.5/10

Murphy continued his great run of form with an assist for Isak’s goal. He also played one other key pass.

Alexander Isak – 8/10

Isak showed great composure and hammered Newcastle into a 1-0 lead in the first half. He also played two key passes and won two duels.

Anthony Gordon – 7/10

Gordon had a good game as he scored his team’s second goal and also won one duel.

Substitutes

Lloyd Kelly – 6.5/10

Kelly replaced Murphy as Newcastle switched to a more defensive shape.

Harvey Barnes – 6.5/10

He replaced Isak but failed to make an impact.

Sean Longstaff – 6.5/10

He replaced Willock but could not affect the game positively.

Miguel Almiron – 6/10

He replaced Gordon but did not impact the match.

Manager

Eddie Howe – 8/10

He set his team up very well and secured a crucial win away from home.

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