Shay Given believes William Saliba and Gabriel were ‘frightened’ of Alexander Isak during Arsenal’s defeat to Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.
Mikel Arteta’s side now face a tough task to reach Wembley after goals from Isak and Anthony Gordon sealed a 2-0 win for Eddie Howe’s men in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi final at the Emirates Stadium.
Isak delivered an impressive performance before he was substituted in the 65th minute due to concerns over a hamstring injury.
The Sweden international, who has attracted strong interest from Arsenal, has now scored 10 goals in his last nine appearances
And Given feels both Saliba and Gabriel will be glad to see the back of the Newcastle striker after his latest display.
The two centre-backs, Saliba and Gabriel, have been probably ones of the best parts of Arsenal but I think they’re scared of Isak a bit,’ Given said during his half-time analysis for Sky Sports.
William Saliba struggled to get to grips with Alexander Isak (Reuters)
‘His pace, he’s coming in short, he’s running in behind, there was another chance where Isak could’ve put Joe Willock in, he was clean through but just didn’t get enough on the pass.
‘I think he’s frightening these two centre-halves, it’s good for Newcastle.’
Given’s fellow Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp added: ‘That was the difference between the two sides – Newcastle had Isak. I’m sure every Arsenal fan wished they had because that’s the level you had to get to.
‘And Havertz couldn’t offer the same for Arsenal tonight.’
Redknapp also criticised Arsenal’s set-piece coach, Nicolas Jover, after Martin Odegaard was tasked with marking Isak for Newcastle’s opening goal in the first half.
‘I think he [Isak] just bullied them all game,’ Redknapp said.
‘It genuinely blows my mind how you can have a situation where Odegaard is marking that man.
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