Mikel Arteta admitted that Newcastle United was “more efficient” than his arsenal side, after their EFL Cup semi-final defeat.
The Gunners were aggregated 4-0 by the inspired Magpies, who won 2-0 on Wednesday and progressed to their second final of this competition in three seasons.
Arsenal followed 2-0 from the first stage and made a goal-oriented start in St James' Park with Martin Odegaard who had their best chance against the post.
However, Newcastle gave itself breathing space in the draw within 60 seconds, while Jacob Murphy was on goal, while Anthony Gordon laid the draw outside Arteta's side after the break.
The visitors only registered three shots on the goal during the 90 minutes, with an XG of only 0.94 compared to the 1.71 of their opponents, and Arteta acknowledged that his players were needed to produce more.
“Of course we had so many expectations to believe that we could turn it around,” said the Spaniard.
“We had Momentum in the first half and didn't benefit. They scored immediately afterwards [Odegaard hit the post] And the momentum is shifting. We needed a goal early in the second half, and we didn't get that, and the chance passed.
“We have not generated enough situations, ourselves in the last third enough. The game started to get away from us.
Our Carabao Cup campaign is coming to an end. pic.twitter.com/oocwl2ys7H
– Arsenal (@ARSENAL) February 5, 2025
“They have been more efficient than we are in the boxes, and that is the difference in the draw. You have to be very efficient on the day; that is what you bring close to winning trophies, and today we were not.
“If you come to the semi -final and not the last, a lot [an opportunity missed].
“We have to swallow this, it is a difficult one. We had many expectations. We knew the difficulty of the task because of the result we brought from London. But there is nothing we can do now.
“What we could do was on the field a few minutes ago, now we have to look ahead. First of all, I think this will be a painful one. While we are in Dubai, we are loading and going again because we still have a lot to play [for]. “
The second goal of Newcastle saw David Raya playing the ball to Declan Rice, who was robbed of possession on the edge of the area by Fabian Schar, before Gordon slid calmly home.
“The mistakes are part of football,” Arteta added. “We have been super consistent, we have really composed. Today we gave them hope by putting the ball in our last line for a long time.
“When we did, we always looked vulnerable because we allowed them to run from this situation, and they are really a dangerous team when they can do that.”
Arsenal also suffered an injury, with Gabriel Martinelli who seemed to be a hamstring problem.
“He felt something, I think it was his hamstring and he was not at ease to continue, so we have to do an MRI scan tomorrow to see the extent of the injury,” Arteta explains.
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