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Alexander Isak was hailed as ‘the best in Europe’ by teammate Anthony Gordon following his outstanding performance in Newcastle’s 2-0 win over Arsenal.
Alexander Isak was declared “the best striker in Europe” by Newcastle United teammate Anthony Gordon following their 2-0 victory over Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.
Isak, the 25-year-old Swedish forward, has been in phenomenal form, netting his tenth goal in his last nine games. His goal in the first half, a clinical finish past Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya, set Newcastle on their way to a commanding lead. Isak’s influence didn’t stop there; his effort led to Gordon’s second goal after Raya parried his shot into the path of the midfielder.
Gordon, full of praise for his teammate, told BBC Radio 5 Live, “Very good. He is the best in Europe, probably right now, with the form he’s in. The best quality he’s got is that he’s so humble. He is not scared to pass the ball. He’s very unselfish, and his best ability is his raw ability on the ball.”
Isak’s performance was a testament to his skill and dedication, but it was also a team effort. Despite Arsenal’s numerous chances, Newcastle’s defense held firm, and the collective effort was praised by Gordon, who said, “Everyone to a man was top-level. Coming to this place is so hard and they defend really well. It was always going to be a smash-and-grab kind of game for us, but we executed it perfectly.”
The victory puts Newcastle in a strong position ahead of the second leg at St James’ Park on February 5. Manager Eddie Howe acknowledged the challenge ahead but expressed confidence in his team’s ability to replicate their performance.
Isak’s rise to the top has been nothing short of meteoric. Since joining Newcastle in August 2022, he has scored 50 goals in all competitions, trailing only Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah in the Premier League.
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