Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Arteta tells Gunners to “go full gas” in quest for Carabao Cup final

Mikel Arteta has urged Arsenal to “go full gas” against Newcastle United on Wednesday as they look to overturn a two-goal deficit and secure their first Carabao Cup final appearance since 2018.

The Gunners face an uphill battle after a disappointing first leg at the Emirates, where their wastefulness in front of goal was ruthlessly punished by the Magpies.

However, with four consecutive wins under their belt, including Sunday’s 5-1 thrashing of Manchester City, confidence is high that Arsenal can pull off a comeback before a 10-day break in the calendar.

Facing the media on Tuesday, Arteta said he didn’t need to motivate his players for the challenge ahead.

“The next stop is a final in Wembley so we know how big that is and you can feel it, you can feel it straight away,” he said.

“The boost that the game gave us winning against City, the manner that we did it and the fact that it is a game that is the closest competition we are to a final, we’re going to give it a real go.”

He added: “Probably when you compare the emotional state of the team straight after the defeat and the manner that it happened and how we are today, it’s very different because we come from very strong performances, some great wins and especially the last one at home against Man City.

“So it’s momentum and after that game as well we have a break so it’s a moment to go full gas, ready to go for it and try to approach it in the way that we believe is the best way to win that final.”

Given the Geordies came out on top in November’s league encounter at St James’ Park – a 1-0 win sealed early by Isak’s header – Arteta is under no illusions about the difficulty of their opponent.

“They [Newcastle] are a very difficult team to play against and there have been different games. We beat them at home last year in a good way.

“Obviously this season has been different with two very different games as well, I think. It’s another opportunity ahead of us, a big one that can take us to Wembley so we are really looking forward to it.

He also made clear that despite the magnitude of the match, “nerves” are not something he’s going to be contending with.

“I don’t know if that’s the word, excited for sure, you know, willing, hungry and enthusiastic because we are very close to play a final and hopefully we can achieve it tomorrow.”

Win or lose, Arteta confirmed reports that Arsenal will head to Dubai on Thursday morning for a warm-weather training camp. Last January, a visit to the Emirate proved to a turning point in the season, sparking an impressive run of form that nearly ended with a league title.

It sounds as though the formula for the trip will be relatively similar, although the same results aren’t guaranteed.

“There’s a lot of things that will be very similar, location, where we are staying, where we trained, but then obviously we have to modify it,” said Arteta.

“We’re going to be in a different moment of the season, different numbers, probably the team needs other stimulus, other things, so we are preparing a few things, hopefully it will work like it has worked in the last few times.”

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Michael

Another five goals would put the mediocre Newcastle to bed and shut the noise down.

Bleeding Gums Murphy

First goal wins it me thinks.

T.A.

Agreed

Mayor McCheese

2-0 is the most dangerous score! We will beat them.

Gervinho is Driving

They’ll sit deep. We have to score early, with a set piece most likely. They can’t play 75 minutes at 2-1. We’ll have to ride our luck a bit defensively to get a second goal. Once it’s 2-2, both sides will play for pens. Not a crazy scenario.

Bleeding Gums Murphy

If we get to 2-2 they will on the ropes and the anxiety in the stadium will be palpable. At they stage we go for the throat not penalties

Gervinho is Driving

I would love to palpate their anxiety!

Bobbert

They’ll be playing on the break and for the Gordon diving penalty backed up by the shirtless orcs screaming for it.

BillyKrystal

Not crazy at all. I hope someone can goad Bruno into something. He deserves a red card for just being himself.

BelgianGooner

Genuinely wondering if this is the most important game of our season?

If we smash them, thus qualify for the Wembley final before a 10 days break in Dubai I am going to start dreaming about a treble

Bobbert

No handbrakes!

Fenko

Nothing to lose approach.
With that, we can win the game

Tt gunnr

Exactly Bob
Go for the jugular from the whistle
Let’s back ourselves, we are much better

Limpar2

Nothing to lose so go for it 🙂
I am glad we didn’t sign anyone – especially Ollie Watkins. Arsenal are an elite team and should be buying that level of player who would improve them – transfer fee and wages would cost Arsenal £100 million plus for a player who would have little sell on value if the move went wrong. Wait for the summer when transfer dealings are easier and cheaper

Walleye

Martinelli in the center forward. New castle’ sluggish cbs will freak.

Bobbert

Dan burn has the turning radius of a battleship. Run at him and force him into a decision.

I miss santi cazorla

Haha

Amb

I expect it will be an exceptionally brutal game from Newcastle. Deep low block and rotational fouling every minute; lots of subs to avert a second yellow if needed (*see below). A ref who will let them hack with no censure for 60 minutes *, then promptly book 6 Arsenal players for their first foul of the game to make it look like things are actually being refereed. Sorry to be so bleak. If it was any other team away, including Liverpool, I think we would do it as we are in top form. But Eddie Howe and his reducer… Read more »

Dr. Gooner

It’s a big game for Martin Odegaard. He’s going to be primarily responsible for moving the ball through their line, which as you say is exceptionally aggressive and athletic. He needs to be at his shiftiest twinkle toed best in those deep areas to give us control of this game. If he gets harried into errors, I fear for us. MLS and Rice are the others who can have a big impact breaking the press with their power carry.

Dr. Gooner

People have Newcastle wrong. They aren’t a low block team, not by design: they’re more like Bournemouth or Everton. They press you with aggression deep in your own half, then form a mid block on the halfway line, set traps and try to intercept your through balls, then launch quick counters into space from there. The way to beat them is to be brave enough to play through the first lines and create transitions that way; then, in the second phase agains the set mid block, play little clipped passes over them to runners. Jorginho is the absolute master of… Read more »

Rambo sambo

Nice analysis, thanks!

Same old Oli

Spot on! It’s why we’ve seen Tonali / Bruno / Joelinton in some pretty high spaces and why those three carry a goal threat. You make it past them, you’ve got a good chance. Also they’ve looked better with Burn at CB then LB.. but that always felt obvious!

Vonnie

Hopefully Joelinton is still injured.

Double

Mikel, is that you?

Same old Oli

Genuinely looking forward to tonight’s game.. wouldn’t say it’s a free hit as such, but the players seem absolutely fired up after the City game and if we start quick and get an early goal its all to play for!

Iufgn

Newcastle are a good side and have good results against us. Plus we’re still playing every 3/4 days.
It is going to be very tough game and if we get a result that will be exceptional

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