4 months ago
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STUNNED fans reckon a new angle shows Alexander Isak’s Carabao Cup semi-final opener in a 2-0 win at Arsenal should have been ruled out.
The Newcastle striker was spotted appearing to shove Martin Odegaard in the back before slotting home to cap a sweet move.
Who else but Alexander Isak?
Newcastle break the deadlock in North London! 
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Alexander Isak crept into position behind Martin Odegaard
Many fans are sure Isak pushed Odegaard before scoring
GettyAnthony Gordon then gobbled up a rebound to double the advantage soon after the break and leave the Toon well set for the second leg.
In contrast, the Gunners struggled up front in the absence of an Isak-like predator of their own.
However, supporters wondered if the Swede’s key moment for the visitors should have been disallowed.
One fan called Isak’s action “obviously a foul”.
Another blasted: “Premier League referees are the worst in Europe man!”
Isak has now netted five games in a row for the Magpies, hitting seven goals.
And over the past nine matches he’s scored 10 times, as well as supplying two assists.
No wonder Arsenal legend Paul Merson has urged his old club to “break the bank” for the £150million goal-getter.
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But Isak’s Emirates strike sparked controversy, with many viewers claiming he was lucky to get away with what seemed to be a two-handed push.
Gunners’ playmaker Odegaard tumbled forward, giving Isak even more room to run on for a clean, low, left-footed finish.
Arsenal ratings vs Newcastle as Havertz fluffs golden chance with academy statlet the only bright light for Gunners
ARSENAL have a mountain to climb to reach the Carabao Cup final after a shock 2-0 first-leg defeat to Newcastle.
Here SunSport’s Jordan Davies rates every Arsenal player on a disappointing night at the Emirates…
DAVID RAYA – 6/10
Looked nervy with ball at feet at times but could do nothing to stop Alexander Isak’s brilliant close-range finish.
Unlucky to see his palmed save tapped in by Anthony Gordon.
MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY – 8
The academy product was very impressive again. Turned out of danger well at both ends of the pitch. So calm under pressure.
GABRIEL – 6
Gave Isak far too much space to manoeuvre a shot in the box before the Toon’s second. Wasteful and ineffective from corners.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 6
Had an early effort blocked near the line by Dan Burn. Was dealing with Isak well until losing a header to Sven Botman that saw the Toon striker score.
JURRIEN TIMBER – 5
Missed an absolute sitter from a yard out from a corner.
Was then caught sleeping just after the break to allow Gordon to double Newcastle’s lead.
THOMAS PARTEY – 6
Linked defence and attack fairly well without ever really doing anything spectacular.
DECLAN RICE – 6
Plays Jacob Murphy onside from a flicked on free-kick that leads to Newcastle taking the lead.
Took more responsibility in the second half on the ball.
MARTIN ODEGAARD – 7
Heavily man-marked by Joelinton but looked back to his very best after a spate of illness.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 8
Much more direct in his running. Unlucky not to open the scoring with his driven shot hitting the post after a half-way line sprint.
Continued to be positive in his play – just lacked the finishing touch.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 6
Sneakily got away with dragging Isak down to stop the Swede joining a Newcastle counter in the first half and a good first-time pass to set Martinelli away. Those were his only highlights.
KAI HAVERTZ – 5
May just be back from a sickness bug, but the big German did very little, apart from somehow fluffing a header wide unmarked from six yards.
SUBS:
JORGINHO (PARTEY, 59) – 7
Some nice passes into dangerous areas and sprayed the ball about with conviction.
GABRIEL JESUS (TROSSARD, 59) – 6
Lively and sharp without every really testing Newcastle’s back four or goal.
OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO (LEWIS-SKELLY, 77) – 5
Booked within a minute of coming on for a rash challenge on Joelinton.
However, some fans believe Mikel Arteta‘s men were simply undone by the type of tactics they themselves use at set-pieces.
One posted: “Arsenal do this over every attacking free kick to push a defender backwards making all their players onside: nothing wrong with that clever play Isak does it to create a yard of space.”
Another suggested that Gunners’ defenders’ “Saliba and Gabriel do this every corner”.
Meanwhile, Gordon insisted Isak is the best forward in Europe on current form.
The England winger told ITV: “I think so. I think everyone is in agreement with that. He’s on fire.”
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