Arsenal 0-2 Newcastle: Superb Isak leaves fans dreaming of Wembley return

Newcastle's Alexander Isak has long been heralded as the sort of striker Arsenal need. At Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, he showed the Gunners exactly what they were missing.

Isak was superb, scoring one goal and making the other one. He also gave Arsenal's defensive partnership of Gabriel and William Saliba a rarely-seen torrid time as Newcastle gained a brilliant 2-0 away win in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final.

After Newcastle's 4-0 victory over Ipswich last month, in which Isak scored his first hat-trick for the club, boss Eddie Howe said he wanted the Swede to help guide the team to a first trophy since 1969.

Isak's performance in London leaves Newcastle fans dreaming of a Wembley return after losing in the Carabao Cup final only two years ago.

Although Isak grabbed the headlines, it was a superb team effort from a Newcastle side that dealt admirably with the constant threat of dangerous inswinging corners from the hosts as the Gunners lost for the first time at home this season.

The Newcastle players were quick to stress afterwards the tie was not over, but the fans will be eagerly awaiting the second leg at what promises to be a raucous St James' Park on 5 February, with the supporters hoping the team can finish the job off and secure a Wembley spot.