Breaking News: Why Mikel Arteta and the Arsenal Fans Are Really So Upset About Newcastle United

Mikel Arteta and the Arsenal fans are facing an increasingly familiar frustration as they prepare to meet Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup semi-finals tonight. While the match is crucial in determining who will head to Wembley, it represents more than just a cup run—it’s a reminder of how the balance of power has shifted in recent years.

For Arsenal, what was once a routine fixture against a struggling Newcastle has turned into a source of deep frustration.For over a decade, Arsenal dominated Newcastle in all competitions. Between the 2007/08 season and May 2022, the Gunners won 24 of their 29 encounters, drawing three and losing just twice. During this period, Newcastle were often relegation candidates, offering little resistance to the North London giants. Arsenal fans and Arteta knew the Magpies as a team that rarely posed a serious threat. Arteta himself, who played for Arsenal from 2011 to 2016, experienced this dominance firsthand. In his 10 matches against Newcastle, Arsenal won nine, with a single goalless draw at St James’ Park being the only exception.

The predictability of Arsenal’s success bred a sense of entitlement among the Gunners’ supporters, who became accustomed to easy victories over a club that seemed perpetually in turmoil.Much of this era coincided with the reign of Mike Ashley at Newcastle. Under Ashley’s ownership, the club lacked ambition and were plagued by poor management decisions. Multiple underwhelming managers came and went, and Newcastle rarely looked like a serious threat to the established Premier League elite. As a result, Arsenal enjoyed an extended period of dominance, rarely facing challenges from the Magpies.However, the arrival of Eddie Howe in November 2021, combined with new owners who injected fresh investment into the club, marked the beginning of a dramatic shift.

Howe’s first match in charge at Arsenal ended in a 2-0 defeat, but it was a game full of controversy. Several questionable decisions by the officials, including disallowed goals and ignored penalty shouts, left Newcastle fans seething. Despite the loss, it was clear that Howe’s side was beginning to form the foundation of a much stronger team.The final game of the 2021/22 season saw Arsenal travel to St James’ Park with everything to play for.

A win would have secured a top-four finish and Champions League qualification, but Newcastle had other plans. They outplayed Arsenal in every department, winning 2-0 in a dominant display. Not only did the defeat cost Arsenal a Champions League spot, but it also handed their North London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, a chance to finish fourth.This loss was a pivotal moment for Arteta and Arsenal.

His post-match reaction, which included accusations of time-wasting and blaming the officials, reflected a deeper sense of frustration. He could not come to terms with the fact that his team had been thoroughly beaten by a side that had once been seen as a relegation candidate. For Arteta and the fans, this was a bitter reminder that the footballing landscape was changing.

The 2022-2023 season didn’t offer much respite. A 0-0 draw at the Emirates in January 2023 further exposed Arsenal’s struggles against a disciplined Newcastle defense. Despite dominating possession, Arsenal could not break down Newcastle, with Dan Burn playing a standout role in neutralizing Bukayo Saka. Once again, Arteta’s frustration was evident, as he made comments about poor officiating and foul play, deflecting attention from his team’s inability to perform.

However, it was the 1-0 loss to Newcastle in November 2023 that truly underlined the shifting power dynamic. Anthony Gordon’s second-half strike secured a deserved win for Newcastle, marking another chapter in their growing rivalry with Arsenal.

The defeat was significant not just for the result but for the way Newcastle, under Howe, had outworked and outsmarted an Arsenal side full of attacking talent.The shift from dominance to frustration is now undeniable for Arteta and the Arsenal supporters.

For years, Newcastle were a guaranteed three points, but now they are a team that not only competes with Arsenal but frequently outperforms them. The 2023 victory at the Emirates, which saw Newcastle win 4-1 despite missing key players, was a stark reminder that things have changed. Arsenal can no longer rely on their historical success over Newcastle.

This shift is particularly hard for Arsenal fans to accept. For years, Newcastle was a club they could defeat with relative ease, but now, under Eddie Howe, the Magpies have transformed into a tactical and physical force. Their resurgence has left Arsenal fans feeling unsettled, especially with their own side struggling to assert dominance over clubs like Newcastle.The fact that Newcastle hasn’t won at the Emirates since 2010, when Chris Hughton led them to a 1-0 victory, only adds to the pressure.

That victory, followed by Hughton’s sacking, remains a rare bright spot in Newcastle’s history at Arsenal. But with Howe at the helm, the landscape has shifted, and Arsenal now face a side that has beaten them at St James’ Park and battled them to a standstill at home.

The timing of this Carabao Cup semi-final could not be more symbolic. If Newcastle manages to secure a win at the Emirates, it will mark a historic moment for the club. It will not only seal their place in the final but will further establish them as a genuine contender in English football. For Arsenal, such a defeat would be another painful reminder that their hegemony over Newcastle is a thing of the past.

Newcastle’s rise represents a direct challenge to Arsenal’s ambitions, both domestically and on the European stage. Arteta, whose tactical methods once seemed foolproof against sides like Newcastle, now faces a manager in Howe who is equally adept at reading the game and adjusting his tactics.

Howe has built a well-organized, energetic Newcastle team capable of going toe-to-toe with the best in the league, including Arsenal.For Arsenal, this semi-final clash is more than just a match—it’s a stark reminder that their historical dominance is slipping away.

They are no longer the invincible force they once were, and teams like Newcastle are no longer content to simply play the role of the underdog. Arteta’s team is facing increasing pressure to find their way back to the top, and their struggles against Newcastle only highlight the challenges they face.

For Newcastle, the semi-final is another opportunity to prove they belong among the Premier League’s elite. Under Eddie Howe, the club has shed its old identity as a relegation battler and is now a side capable of challenging for top honors. Another victory over Arsenal would only strengthen their claim as one of the league’s most exciting and ambitious teams.

In conclusion, Mikel Arteta and Arsenal are upset about Newcastle not because of one bad result, but because of a broader realization: the days of easy victories are over. The balance of power in English football is shifting, and with Newcastle’s rise under Eddie Howe, Arsenal are no longer guaranteed to be the top dogs.

For Arteta, this semi-final is a critical moment—not just for a place at Wembley, but for the future of his reign at Arsenal.