Arsenal legend Ray Parlour tells the Gunners what they need to do in order to stand a chance of making EFL Cup final

Arsenal legend Ray Parlour has told Sports Mole that the first goal will be crucial in Wednesday's EFL Cup semi-final second leg between the Gunners and Newcastle United at St James' Park.

Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon were on the scoresheet in the first leg between the two sides at the Emirates Stadium on January 7, with the Magpies therefore having a huge advantage to bring into their home fixture.

Mikel Arteta's side will enter the contest in strong form, posting four straight wins in all competitions, including a 5-1 success over Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

Parlour has said that "the first goal" will be crucial in the second leg and admits that it could be tie over if Newcastle were able to score a third.

"Yes, for sure. It's basically who scores the first goal. If Arsenal can score the first goal, then it's game on and they can look to put pressure on Newcastle who will not know whether to attack or hold onto the lead," Parlour told Sports Mole.

Parlour: 'Arsenal must score the first goal against Newcastle'

"If Newcastle were to score first, I don't think Arsenal can come back from that as Newcastle's defence is strong and unlikely to concede three goals. So Arsenal need to go about their game as they normally would and will have to at some stage, take a few risks to get the first goal.

"If Arsenal weren't to win a trophy this year, it isn't by the want of trying and there should not be any reputational issue at all and Arsenal will look to go again."

Arsenal have only won the League Cup on two occasions, lifting the trophy in 1986-87 and 1992-93, and they have already been knocked out of this season's FA Cup, losing to Manchester United in the third round.

The Gunners are through to the knockout round of the Champions League, but it will be difficult to triumph in the competition considering the quality of the teams that will be battling for the trophy.

Arsenal are second in the Premier League table, meanwhile, picking up 50 points from their 24 matches this season, but they are six points behind the leaders Liverpool, who also have a match in hand.

What is Arsenal's recent record against Newcastle?

Arsenal have actually lost three of their last four matches against Newcastle in all competitions, including a 1-0 defeat when the two sides last locked horns at St James' Park, which came in the Premier League in November 2024.

The Gunners have not been victorious at St James' Park since May 2023, while they have only triumphed in two of their last seven matches against Newcastle in all competitions, demonstrating the size of their task in this contest.

Arsenal have won four of their five games against Newcastle in the League Cup throughout history, including a 4-0 success on their last trip to St James' Park in the competition in October 2010, and that result on Wednesday night would take them into the final.

Ray Parlour was speaking to Sports Mole on behalf of NetBet Sports Betting.