Anthony Gordon has urged his teammates to remain ‘humble’ following Newcastle United’s win over Arsenal in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final. The 23-year-old winger played a key role in the victory at St. James’ Park on Wednesday night, doubling the Magpies’ lead in the second half.
Thanks to Gordon’s efforts, Newcastle have booked themselves a place in the final at Wembley Stadium next month. Speaking on Sky Sports after the game, the England international insisted that he – and his teammates – mustn’t get carried away.
“I think it’s important for us to stay humble now,” said Gordon. “We went on a really good run and we had two results that we didn’t see coming and we didn’t really need in our season so this was a good game to put us back on track. But I think we just need to put our heads down and focus on what’s in front of us.”
The Newcastle star’s ‘humble’ comment could be seen as a thinly-veiled nod to Arsenal’s battles with Manchester City this season. Following the Gunners’ 2-2 draw with City at the start of the season, Erling Haaland told Mikel Arteta to ‘stay humble’ – and the exchange quickly went viral on social media.
The Premier League champions have since struggled to impress, inviting sarcastic remarks from smug Arsenal fans. Speaking to reporters ahead of the reverse fixture earlier this month, Pep Guardiola defended Haaland for his ‘stay humble’ comment in light of backlash from rival supporters.
“For Erling it’s not easy,” said Guardiola. “Arsenal is a physical team, in a good way, in many aspects. For 90 minutes, the central defender, Gabriel, push him, hack him, hug him and kiss him. The Premier League is that way.
“You have to stand up and defend your position. And now I am being asked to adjudicate on what Erling has done? I don’t buy it. The end of the game was so emotional. In the end, a human being has to react.”
Guardiola added: “I’m not saying dark arts. I never use that word in the media. There is a referee who has to intervene when it’s not fair. I know my players and how they behave.
“Of course I complain and give my opinion but I think we are an incredibly fair play team, sometimes too much. But we had success in that way and we will continue.”
To rub salt into City’s wounds, Myles Lewis-Skelly performed Haaland’s signature ‘meditation’ celebration after netting Arsenal’s third in the 5-1 win over City. The Hale End graduate’s brilliant piece of showmanship reignited the sarcastic ‘stay humble’ comments.
That said, it appears that Gordon has had the last laugh after knocking the Gunners out of the Carabao Cup…
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