Arsenal's bid for a major trophy this season has stalled in disappointing fashion after they were defeated by Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
Arsenal traveled to St. James Park on Wednesday evening, fully aware of the daunting challenge ahead of them. Goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon had given Newcastle a well-deserved two-goal lead in the first leg.
As anticipated, Mikel Arteta's players received a hostile welcome in Tyneside, with Newcastle attempting to put them in a difficult situation very early in the game.
Isak believed he had outsmarted the offside trap, but referee Simon Hooper signaled to the spectators that he had infringed the new VAR system by edging forward a fraction too soon.
Despite initially being denied, minutes later, Isak's shot rebounded off the post and landed directly on a plate for Jacob Murphy to score the opening goal of the evening.
Arsenal's efforts on the other side were repeatedly obstructed by resolute defending. A mistake from David Raya allowed Gordon to shoot in the second and thereby sealed Arsenal's chances of success.
After the game, Gordon emphasized the importance of 'staying humble' in preparation for the upcoming Wembley contest.
"I believe it's crucial for us to remain humble at this time. We've experienced a fantastic run, and we've had two outcomes that we didn't anticipate and didn't necessarily need in our season, so this game was a good opportunity for us to get back on track. Nonetheless, I think it's essential for us to stay focused on what lies ahead," according to Football London.
Fans are convinced that England's international star followed Arsenal's recent example, adopting a nasty tactic against Erling Haaland. Haaland's 'be humble' taunt caught up to him on Sunday, forcing him to eat his words.
Which teams will Newcastle compete against in the Carabao Cup final?
Eddie Howe's team will face either Liverpool or Tottenham. The two teams will meet for a second time tonight at Anfield, with Tottenham holding a slim 1-0 advantage.
More to follow.