It was a first leg of the Carabao Cup semifinal for Arsenal to forget as Alexander Isak's goal and assist powered Newcastle United to a 2-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium, but while Mikel Arteta gave Newcastle credit for their performance,

Mikel Arteta beileves it will be very difficult for Arsenal to sign players who can affect their first team in the January transfer window. The Gunners have been consistently linked with a move for Newcastle United's Alexander Isak, although the Magpies are highly unlikely to sell their prize asset.

Chris Hughton was the last Newcastle manager to win at Arsenal, a 1-0 Andy Carroll header in November 2010. Hughton ridiculously sacked by Mike Ashley only a couple of weeks later (NUFC had won 5-1 against the Mackems a week earlier than the Arsenal victory), with strong rumours Hughton was refusing to agree to the sale of Andy Carroll.

Newcastle have only ever won once at the Emirates, but Howe's team travel to North London full of belief following six wins on the bounce and this side have previously frustrated Gunners on their own turf.

Arsenal's manager blamed Puma's Oribita 1 after their cup defeat to Newcastle, but how marked is the variation between brands of balls?

Newcastle United head to the Emirates Stadium tonight as one of the in-form teams - with Alexander Isak on the very top of his game.

Arteta admitted he expects more from Merino, who has had a difficult start to life at Arsenal, as his performance against Man United highlighted. Compared to the other midfielders on show, Merino was simply a passenger, recording only 30 touches on the ball compared to Jorginho’s 102 and Martin Odegaard’s 116.

Arsenal could have Riccardo Calafiori back for their Premier League clash with Aston Villa. Calafiori missed games against Manchester United and Tottenham but the Italian has not been ruled out of featuring against Villa at Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

The Telegraph’s claim that Mikel Arteta blamed the Carabao Cup ball for Arsenal’s defeat to Newcastle lacks nuance, oversimplifying his analysis of missed chances, but is anyone surprised?Arteta

Lee Dixon criticised William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes against Newcastle, as the usually trustworthy duo were torn apart by Alexander Isak and co. Dixon wasn’t the only figure to be let down by Saliba, as Arteta was spotted being left in a state of disbelief by one thing the Frenchman did.

Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur will do battle in a white-hot atmosphere as the rival clubs face off under the lights at Emirates Stadium.