Leading 2-0 from the first leg of their League Cup semifinal, can Newcastle finish the job off against in-form Arsenal?

Arsenal travel to Girona on Wednesday knowing that it would take a perfect storm of results for them to miss out on a top-eight spot in the league phase of the Champions League. Still, there is plenty for Mikel Arteta to consider.

Newcastle United host Arsenal in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final when the teams clash at St. James’ Park this evening. Eddie Howe’s men triumphed 2-0 in the first leg in an impressive victory away from home with Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon scoring either side of half-time to give the Magpies a decent aggregate lead heading into this match.

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 has called on his Arsenal squad to regroup during their warm-weather training break in Dubai and target a trophy-winning end to the season after losing their Carabao Cup semifinal to Newcastle United.