- Newcastle entertained Arsenal within the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final
- Alexander Isak gave William Saliba and Gabriel a torrid night time at St James’ Park
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off!, out there wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes each Monday and Thursday
Gary Neville heaped reward on Alexander Isak throughout Newcastle’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg towards Arsenal.
The Magpies headed into the sport with a 2-0 lead from final month’s first leg on the Emirates due to targets from Isak and Anthony Gordon.
Through the first half at St James’ Park on Wednesday, Isak picked up the place he left off as he tormented Arsenal’s defensive pairing of William Saliba and Gabriel.
The Swede – who has 19 targets in 26 video games this season – thought he had prolonged Newcastle’s lead within the tie when he netted with an excellent end simply minutes into the conflict, however he was adjudged to be offside following a prolonged VAR verify.
Isak was at it once more quickly after when he broke via on purpose earlier than his curling left-footed effort clipped the put up, however Jacob Murphy was there to fireside house to place Eddie Howe’s facet 1-0 up on the night time.
And, following the purpose, Neville was fast to sing the praises of the Newcastle striker.
Gary Neville praised Alexander Isak throughout Newcastle’s Carabao Cup conflict towards Arsenal
Isak thought he had given Newcastle the lead on the night time however his effort was dominated out by VAR
However minutes later, Jacob Murphy completed nicely after Isak’s left-footed effort struck the put up
‘It’s all about Isak,’ he mentioned on commentary. ‘He’s messing the Arsenal centre backs about.
‘Take a look at him towards Saliba, he (Saliba) thinks he has received in entrance and he pops it not far away.
‘What a strike it’s, and a chunk of excellent fortune as a result of the move isn’t into him and it then falls to Murphy. However he has Gabriel and Saliba on toast.’
Isak, who has a formidable 54 targets in 93 video games since becoming a member of Newcastle in the summertime of 2022, has been closely linked with Arsenal in latest occasions.
It comes at a time when the Gunners’ attacking choices have been criticised, with many claiming Mikel Arteta must signal a prime class striker to take his facet to the subsequent stage.
The Spaniard had hoped to usher in attacking additions in January and admitted he was left ‘disenchanted’ by their failure to signal a ahead.
Isak dominated William Saliba and Gabriel (proper) and Neville mentioned he had the pair ‘on toast’
The pundit additionally questioned how good Arsenal could be if that they had Isak of their squad
And Neville went onto spotlight how Isak’s show put that neglect into the highlight.
He added: ‘We talked about them within the shut up pre-match. You take a look at Havertz on one facet and Isak on the opposite… it’s unfair on Arsenal in some methods.
‘However you simply marvel what Arsenal could be in the event that they swapped shirts.’
Anthony Gordon added a second purpose after half-time to increase Newcastle’s lead within the tie to 4-0, with the Gunners left with no reply to the rampant hosts.
