Mikel Arteta insisted Arsenal were the better side in the EFL Cup semi-final defeat to Newcastle United and lamented they had not taken their chances.
Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon scored either side of the break as Newcastle took a 2-0 lead in the last four tie ahead of the second leg on February 5.
Both before Isak's opener and after Gordon doubled Newcastle's lead, Arsenal missed a host of presentable chances.
Gabriel Martinelli hit the post as he scored at 0-0, while Kai Havertz missed a blatant heading opportunity from six yards out in the second half.
Arsenal finished the match with 23 shots worth 3.09 expected goals (xG), while Newcastle attempted seven worth 1.22 xG. However, the Gunners hit the target just three times, compared to Newcastle's four.
Only once has Arsenal had more shots without scoring in a match under Arteta, firing 30 without success in a Premier League defeat to West Ham in December 2023.
Asked if his main complaint was Arsenal's wastefulness, Arteta told Sky Sports: “That was the biggest difference in the game.
“In every other respect we were the better team. They scored two goals and that was a credit to them that they managed to win the game like that.”
“If we missed those chances and conceded the goal, it was always going to be difficult, but the team responded. We created a lot of situations, but it's true, they defended the penalty area very well.
“We can do better with our decisions. We had a one-on-one chance with the goalkeeper and in the semi-final you have to be clinical.”
Isak's goal came after a deep Newcastle free-kick found its way to Jacob Murphy, whose strike found the Swede for a powerful finish from close range. The pair have scored seven goals between them in all competitions this season, more than any other Premier League duo.
“I saw the goal and that's something they do: they create chaos, it goes to the wrong player and Isak puts it away,” Arteta said.
“We have to be disappointed because it's another result we wanted, but that's the reality. I have full confidence. I've seen my team play against them – I believe we can do it.”
Newcastle spent long periods of the second half defending their penalty area, and centre-back Dan Burn was impressed with their rearguard action.
“We're very proud, it was always going to be that way in the second half. To a man, everyone defended brilliantly,” Burn told Sky Sports.
“To get a result here you have to defend set pieces, but I thought everyone was brilliant. We had a tough period but we got a few clean sheets in a row.
“It was brilliant to see how we defended in the second half. It's only half the battle; they have nothing to lose by coming to St James' Park.”
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