BBC Sport comments from ‘neutrals’ – Interesting on Newcastle United after Arsenal 2nd leg

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·6 de febrero de 2025

BBC Sport comments from ‘neutrals’ – Interesting on Newcastle United after Arsenal 2nd leg

Interesting to read through these BBC Sport comments, following on from Newcastle United winning 2-0 against Arsenal.

A 4-0 aggregate victory that takes United to Wembley.

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The comments from neutrals especially telling…

A lot of it different to what Newcastle United fans had come to expect from the BBC Sport ‘neutrals’.

The BBC Sport comments from neutrals in the past had been overwhelmingly a catalogue of abuse aimed at NUFC supporters.

Particularly stuff about the Newcastle United owners and the media-inspired pile-ons that NUFC fans have become used to, when blamed for who now owns their club.

On this occasion the politics (almost…) entirely absent, concentrating on matters on the pitch.

The BBC Sport readers comments from neutrals, Arsenal fans and the odd Newcastle United supporter also contributing:

‘No grace from Arteta at the final Whistle.

‘Without the success.’

‘Great to see Newcastle in a final. Hope they go on and win it!

As for Arsenal, hard to remember a quicker humbling in football. 3 days ago they were running round like they’d won the champions league and disrespecting players who have achieved a lot more than they ever will.

They are far too immature and emotional. You don’t go around behaving like that until you win something. Stay humble.’

‘Delighted for Newcastle. Worthy winners against a cynical Arsenal side who will win nothing this season.’

‘So, what will be Arteta’s excuse for this defeat?’

‘Newcastle used the same ball as the one used in the first leg!’

‘The crowd was too loud.’

‘Kai Havertz would rather fall over (twice) pretending to have been fouled than actually try to be a footballer.

I think he’s found his club.’

‘Everyone, let’s cut Arsenal some slack okay? Their players were probably just exhausted, after 4 days of partying and the open-top bus parade which followed their win against Man City at the weekend.’

‘Commentators on Sky Sports tonight. ‘Imagine Isak was wearing the other shirt?’

Starting to do my nut in.

Enjoying being Arsenal’s bogey team. Wembley here we come.’

‘Can’t wait for us to sign Saka when he’s fit.’

‘As a Gooner, yes, I’m disappointed with the result, but you can’t argue with the outcome over the two legs, and full credit to Newcastle Utd.

Not many strikers give Saliba and Gabriel a runaround like Isak did tonight, a terrific performance from a world class player.

Best of luck to The Magpies in the final, and perform like you did tonight and you might be celebrating silverware.’

‘Congratulations, Newcastle, from an Arsenal fan; beat us fair and square. Eddie Howe seems to have worked us out better than anybody.

Hope you win the final; it’s been way too long since you won a trophy and can’t think of a group of fans that deserve it more.’

‘I really hope the older generation of Newcastle fans who have been travelling home and away year after year see them win the final next month, they deserve it.. from a Villa supporter.’

‘With those owners they deserve nothing.’

‘Remember when Ashley was owner, all the Newcastle fans chucked their season tickets. Only sing when you’re winning.’

‘Yea so he wasn’t getting any money to bleed from the club.’

‘These Arsenal fans shock me. They act like they have the success of a team like Real Madrid but in reality, they aren’t even the best team in their city.’

‘They are an absolute embarrassment.’

‘Seems 99% of the country like this win. Stay humble Gooners.’

‘St James Park

Toon Army Unbelievable Support.

Good luck in Wembley. Go win it!

Forest Fan.’

‘Great tribute to Tiote before the match, I hope his son enjoyed the moment. I’m sure his dad would be proud. RIP.’

‘Congratulations Newcastle.

You were the much better team compared to us over both games.

Your gameplan worked perfectly and it was always a uphill battle for us from 2 down

The main thing is I think you just had the hunger and desire to be in the final compared to us.

Hope you win it now.’

‘How did Rice avoid a booking? Favouritism or just plain bias referee? So petulant when losing.’

‘Arteta before the game:

“If we score the 1st goal, obviously, it’s going to play in their minds”

I wonder what Arteta’s psychology book says about getting battered 4-0 by Newcastle?’

‘Arteta forgot that it was just as likely, if not more so, that Newcastle could also score the 1st goal and put the game away for good, as it turned out.’

‘It was always going to be hard for the Arsenal players to lift themselves for a Cup match, so soon after winning the Premier League on Sunday…’

‘We were humiliated tonight by Newcastle. Is Havertz only role to dive in the opposition penalty area. Embarrassing. Rice is a disgrace. Gives it large when we win to the point of embarrassment but loses his rag whenever we’re losing.’

‘Thats why the majority of football fans wanted the Newcastle win, Rice, the kid and Arteta are a disgrace. No humility whatsoever.’

‘Geordies……best fans in England.’

‘Best people I’ve ever worked with.’

‘When it comes down to it, Arsenal just bottle it! Turned up for city. Done nothing today!

Newcastle fully deserved this!!’

‘Newcastle sold their soul, they deserve nothing.’

‘Mike Ashley sold the club, not the supporters.’

‘Arsenal fan here, I said after the first leg it’d be a miracle if we turn this tie around so there are no excuses from me. All credit to Newcastle. Good luck in the final lads.’

‘A humbling 4-0 defeat for the arrogant team.

Well played Newcastle,

Stay humble Arsenal.’

‘Congratulations Newcastle from a Leeds fan.’

‘Newcastle totally bullied Arsenal tonight Nothing illegal. Commitment and passion will always beat arrogance and entitlement.’

‘Isak £63 million. Havertz £69 million.

Arteta signed Sterling, Merino, Calafiori.

Wasted money.’

‘Stay humble Lewis Skelly.

Well done Newcastle.’

‘A quick read through of some of the comments :- dominated by gloating about the failure of Arsenal.

To put a different complexion on it ….Newcastle to a man were simply excellent + on that performance would have troubled any PL team.’

‘Just seen Arteta’s interview. What a dreadful review

No thoughts on well done Newcastle

It is all me, me, me – and so selfish

A desperate ambassador for a historic English club.’

‘Well done the Toon. Not only did you do yourselves proud, but you also did English football a considerable service. Only diehard Gooners would wish to see Arteta and his unlovely Arsenal outfit win anything.’

‘Pundits getting excited Sunday when we beat a team of has-beens albeit it was great nevertheless to thrash the 115.

Tonight the Toon Army were up for it from the off and we looked like a rabbit in headlights every time Isak ( a proper striker creating panic ) received the ball.

Another season where we are not good enough to win silverware. The Magpies deserved the win and good luck in the final.’

‘Bullied tonight Arsenal, Rice lost his head completely tonight on the pitch.’

‘Another trophy gone for the bottle job goonies. 4-0 Stay humble boys, especially Gabrielle and Lewis non-entity.

Trust the process, Poundland Pep with his ‘dark arts’ Stoke tactics has spent £700m to win 1 FA Cup.

Even Ten Hag won more in less time, Goonies still a laughing stock. Good luck in the final Toon and as the Goonies centre half would say dreams can come true.’

Newcastle 2 Arsenal 0 (4-0 on aggregate) – Wednesday 5 February 8pm

(Stats via BBC Sport)

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Murphy 19, Gordon 52

Arsenal:

(In brackets the half-time stats)

Possession was Newcastle 32% (31%) Arsenal 68% (69%)

Total shots were Newcastle 10 (6) Arsenal 11 (6)

Shots on target were Newcastle 3 (1) Arsenal 3 (1)

Corners were Newcastle 1 (1) Arsenal 13 (4)

Touches in the box Newcastle 10 (8) Arsenal 39 (18)