Newcastle could lean back on a 2-0 lead after the win in London in the first semifinal. The lead was never in danger – despite Arsenal being, after Liverpool, Premier League's most goal-happy club and coming from a 5-1 thrashing of Manchester City on Sunday.
The match was not even four minutes old when Alexander Isak and a packed St James's Park celebrated.
Disallowed
But the national team striker's dream goal – a distinct right-foot shot – was ruled offside by a hair's breadth according to the VAR review and disallowed.
Isak got his revenge – and this time he pulled off with his left foot after shaking off central defender William Saliba. The ball hit the post, and the rebound was scored by Jacob Murphy.
Half a minute earlier, Arsenal's captain Martin Ødegaard had hit the post.
Murphy's goal meant 3-0 overall and put Arsenal in an extremely difficult but not impossible situation. The hunt for a equalizer – to begin with – was frantic but Newcastle's defense was as tight as in the first meeting at Emirates.
Six minutes into the second half, Anthony Gordon scored 2-0 and overall 4-0, and it was game over.
Arsenal suffered another injury to an offensive player when Gabriel Martinelli was forced off with a thigh injury.
Krafth back
Emil Krafth was welcomed onto the pitch with ten ordinary minutes remaining. A long-awaited return. The national team defender has not played for Newcastle since he underwent surgery for a shoulder injury nearly three months ago. The last time he played was against Chelsea in the League Cup on October 30.
In the second semifinal return, Liverpool will take on Tottenham at home at Anfield on Thursday evening. Lucas Bergvall's and Dejan Kulusevski's Tottenham won the first match 1-0 three weeks ago.
If Tottenham reaches the final at Wembley on Sunday, March 16, four Swedish national team players could be involved in the battle for the trophy.
