Arsenal fans urge Mikel Arteta to consider a shocking decision following Carabao Cup semi-final loss.
Arsenal fans urge Mikel Arteta to make a bold decision after Carabao Cup semi-final defeat to Newcastle United.
The Gunners entered the second leg trailing 2-0 after first-leg goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon at the Emirates. However, Newcastle once again outclassed Arteta’s side at St James’ Park, securing a spot in the final at Wembley on 16 March.
Jacob Murphy opened the scoring before Gordon doubled Newcastle’s lead in the second half, sealing a 4-0 aggregate victory. Despite Arsenal’s impressive 5-1 win over reigning champions Manchester City days earlier, they struggled in the North East, with Newcastle executing their game plan flawlessly.
Several Arsenal players underperformed, including William Saliba, who looked unusually shaky, and goalkeeper David Raya, whose misplaced pass to Declan Rice gifted Newcastle their second goal. However, much of the fans’ frustration was directed at Martin Ødegaard, with many calling for him to be stripped of the captaincy.
The Norwegian midfielder missed a key chance to put Arsenal back in the game and had a largely ineffective performance before being substituted for Raheem Sterling in the 61st minute. Fans took to social media to vent their frustration, demanding a leadership change.
One supporter on X wrote: “Strip the captaincy off pillow foot now! He’s been terrible this season!”
Another added: “Enough is enough—Odegaard isn’t fit to be captain.”
A third echoed the sentiment: “We need to reconsider the captaincy. Odegaard is everything but a leader.”
Others suggested Declan Rice should take over the role, with one fan saying: “Give Rice the armband. Odegaard has no minerals; it’s a joke.”
Newcastle will now face the winner of the Liverpool vs. Tottenham semi-final, with Spurs leading 1-0 heading into the second leg at Anfield. The Magpies return to action on Saturday in the FA Cup against League One leaders Birmingham City, while Arsenal, having been eliminated by Manchester United, will resume their campaign against Leicester City in the Premier Leagu
e on 15 February.
