Paul Merson now says he wants Newcastle United to win the Carabao Cup after 'destroying' Arsenal

Arsenal legend Paul Merson spoke on Sky Sports today about how Newcastle United 'destroyed' his former team over two legs in the Carabao Cup semi-final.

Newcastle sailed into next month's Carabao Cup final at Wembley with a 4-0 aggregate win over title-chasing Arsenal.

The scoreline was a fair reflection of the tie, with Newcastle visibly better over both legs, scoring twice in each tie.

Arsenal had a moment last night to turn the tie on its head when Martin Odegaard hit the post from close range, but less than a minute later, Newcastle had the ball in the back of the net. It was the most pivotal 60 seconds of football over the entire tie.

Paul Merson wants Newcastle to win the Carabao Cup

Speaking on Sky Sports, Paul Merson acknowledged how good Newcastle were over the two legs and that they deserved to win before saying he wants the Magpies to lift the trophy next month.

"You're talking about two legs here, this is not a one-off game where Newcastle can get lucky, or someone gets sent off or there's a big mistake. This was over two legs and they destroyed Arsenal, really.

"Fair play to Newcastle. I know they go on to win it 4-0, if Odegaard scores with his right foot it's a different game, but that's football. I think, unless you're a Liverpool or Tottenham or Sunderland fan, who doesn't want Newcastle to win this trophy? Because I'm sure, you know, I do."

Paul Merson had to start trying to get Alexander Isak to Arsenal

It wouldn't be Paul Merson without him talking about Alexander Isak going to Arsenal, though. Merson insists that Arsenal are the only club that could take Alexander Isak away from Newcastle.

"On the way in, I was thinking where can he go? He's not going to Man City, he's not going to go to Man United, he's not going to go to Tottenham, he's not going to go to Villa. He can only go to Arsenal in the whole world, really. Unless it's Real Madrid but they've got [Kylian] Mbappe.

"For me, it's only Arsenal where he can go and then it'll be up to him, does he want to go to Arsenal and might win something? Or does he stay at Newcastle and might win something?"

You answered your own question there, Merse. Why would he go to Arsenal where he's got just as much chance of winning something as he does now? He doesn't have to move. He can stay at Newcastle.