Anthony Gordon admits he will be raring to go against Arsenal after missing out on Newcastle United's last Carabao Cup semi-final at St James' Park.

The Scouser was cup-tied after being used by his ex-club Everton during an infamous night against Bournemouth when the Toffees were battered 4-1 in the competition. It would prove to be one of Frank Lampard's last games as manager while Gordon was just weeks away from a sensational £45million move from Merseyside to Tyneside.

However, Gordon's early days at St James' Park resulted in him being forced to sit in the stands for Carabao Cup matches. The 23-year-old would miss the second leg against Southampton but at least got the chance to be paraded on the pitch before the game. That night Gordon could only watch on in awe, alongside fellow new signing Harrison Ashby, as they were unveiled in grand style.

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Gordon told Chronicle Live: "I was gutted that I missed out that night! I only played a cup game (for Everton) really recently before I came as well, which was devastating. I remember watching it against Southampton. I was unveiled just before got all of the excitement of it but none of the good stuff!"

Gordon though will have a much bigger part to play against the Gunners this time. Having already scored in the second leg, he knows he is within touching distance of Wembley.

The Kirkdale-born star said: "I'm buzzing, it's the furthest I've ever been in a cup competition so it couldn't be better. Playing Arsenal at the Emirates was a great opportunity."

Getting through against the Gunners is everything in the world of the black and whites. It would set the tone for a strong half of the finish and there would be another cup final to look ahead to in mid-March, keeping the season very much alive and kicking.

Gordon spoke about the tunnel vision for short-term success in the dressing room, he said: "The project (long-term) doesn't really mean much to us, we all just want to win now. People keep talking about the project from the outside because of how much the club has come on but that doesn't really mean much to us.

"We're trying to win now, we're trying to win cups now, we're trying to get back into the Champions League, and if we do that, then it'll no longer be called a project, will it, because it'll be what we want it to be."