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Newcastle United’s impressive 2-0 win over Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg was a significant milestone for the club. Not only did it mark a major scalp for the Magpies, but it also showed that the team can perform well even without their key players. The absence of Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, who was suspended for the match, was a major test for Newcastle, but they rose to the challenge and came out on top.
Guimaraes has been a crucial player for Newcastle since his arrival in January 2022, and his absence has often been felt in the past. In the seven games he had missed prior to this match, Newcastle had drawn four and lost three, winning none. This had led to concerns that the team was too reliant on Guimaraes, and that they would struggle without him. However, the win over Arsenal showed that this is not the case, and that the team has the strength and depth to perform well even without their star player.
As head coach Eddie Howe noted, “It’s important we’re able to win without anyone. The team has to be the strength, not the individual.” This is a key philosophy for Howe, who believes that a strong team is more important than individual players. While Guimaraes is undoubtedly a talented player, Howe knows that he cannot rely on him alone to win matches. Instead, he needs to build a team that can perform well together, even when key players are missing.
The win over Arsenal was also a testament to the strength of Newcastle’s squad. Despite missing Guimaraes and Fabian Schar, who was also suspended, the team was able to adapt and perform well. This was due in part to the performances of players like Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon, who scored the goals that sealed the win. However, it was also due to the overall team effort, which saw every player contribute to the victory.
Howe was quick to praise his team’s performance, saying that they had shown “strength and depth” in the absence of Guimaraes and Schar. He also noted that the team had been able to adapt to different situations, which is a key aspect of being a successful team. While Newcastle’s squad may not be the biggest or the deepest, it is clear that they have a strong core of players who can perform well together.
However, the win over Arsenal also came with a warning. Several players, including Isak and Sven Botman, picked up muscle issues during the match, which is a concern for Howe. Botman, who has just returned from a near 10-month injury layoff, played the full match despite suffering from a groin issue, while Isak was withdrawn after 65 minutes due to a hamstring problem. This is a concern for Howe, who knows that his players are giving everything physically and need to be protected from injury.
As Howe noted, “Half-time was a real warning to us that the players are giving everything physically and we need to look after them.” This is a key aspect of being a successful team, as players need to be protected from burnout and injury in order to perform at their best. Howe will need to balance the need to win with the need to protect his players, which will be a challenge in the coming weeks.
Overall, Newcastle’s win over Arsenal was a significant milestone for the club. It showed that the team can perform well even without their key players, and that they have the strength and depth to adapt to different situations. However, it also highlighted the importance of managing player injuries and ensuring that the squad is protected from burnout. As Howe looks to rotate his side for the upcoming FA Cup match against Bromley, he will need to balance the need to win with the need to protect his players, which will be a key challenge in the coming weeks.
The win over Arsenal also marked an important milestone for Newcastle in terms of their progress under Howe. The team has been improving steadily since his arrival, and this win showed that they are capable of competing with the best teams in the country. While there is still a long way to go, the signs are positive for Newcastle, and fans will be hoping that the team can continue to build on this momentum in the coming weeks.
In conclusion, Newcastle’s win over Arsenal was a significant milestone for the club, showing that the team can perform well even without their key players.
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