Arsenal saw another trophy pass them by as they were beaten by Newcastle on Wednesday night as they face the prospect of another season without a trophy despite their investment

While Newcastle United fans scrambled for trains, tickets and hotels around London for next month’s League Cup final through blissfully blurry vision, wide-eyed Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was leading his side on to an Emirates flight to Dubai for a much-needed warm weather winter training break.

Mikel Arteta confessed it was ‘clear’ the level of influence Alexander Isak had on Newcastle’s dominant Carabao Cup win over Arsenal. Protecting a two-goal lead from the first leg, Eddie Howe’s men went for the jugular at St James’ Park and put the Gunners to the sword ruthlessly.