Right we are down to the wire. It's now or never. Time has run out. No margin for further error. Realism, coupled by nagging fear, beats in every breast. Arsenal arrive here on a midweek night capable of spoiling a Wembley party.

There are two views available to Geordies: pint pot half-full or half-empty. Either Newcastle are in grave danger of the unthinkable, losing three home games in a row, or are on the cusp of a memorable achievement, beating Arsenal three times in a season. Bad hat-trick or good hat-trick!

Incredibly it is 70 years this 2025 since United last won a domestic trophy which is staggering and cautionary on top of which the Mags must confront the might of one of football's aristocrats for the right to go back to the national stadium in the Carabao Cup final to try and end the drought.

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Supreme confidence with United already two goals up after an incredible first-leg victory at the Emirates has turned into a totally different feeling. Most Geordies are twitching like a fried egg especially after Fulham heaped more misery upon the Bournemouth defeat. There are more ups and downs than a fiddler's elbow this season. Elation gives way to despair almost in the blink of an unbelieving eye. It would seem we are a team, a club, of extremes. Which face will we see?

When Newcastle won sensationally 2-0 in north London on January 7 it was the best result of the season and completed a stunning run of three away victories at Manchester United, Spurs and Arsenal in nine days. Overall it was the Magpies seventh victory on the bounce with 20 goals plundered. However reality has since bitten especially at home. While United were deflated by Fulham their next opponents Arsenal were inflated by the 5-1 destruction of champions Manchester City.

If this is still a gigantic task despite the half-time scoreline - and, boy, it is - then let us try and lighten every Geordie heart. We've drawn 1-1 with champions Manchester City here this season and 3-3 with current leaders Liverpool. Replicate those results and United are at Wembley. And remember we have beaten the Gooners 1-0 at SJP both last season and this. While we accept that Wednesday night is a Becher's Brook challenge, surely the even bigger one was to go to the Emirates in the first leg and we won. Let us keep the faith because we have little alternative. This is not the time for faint hearts.

Of course getting to our national stadium is terrific but losing there is not and is the norm of recent times. However we will confront that when we are there and not before though should we manage to survive the Gunners' fire our thoughts will turn exclusively to Anfield on Thursday night when Liverpool host Tottenham in the other semi-final second leg determined to overcome a one goal deficit. Come on you Spurs!

Mikel Arteta and Arsenal don't like playing us. There is always a reason why . . . the referee allowing a goal which ought to have been ruled out for not one, not two but three reasons. The wind whistling up the Tyne. The weight of the ball, Lady Luck hitching a lift from the hosts. Alexander Isak playing for us instead of them. Still we don't mind. Bleating hurts no one but those in full cry.

It is hard to keep up with every switch in the domestic cups of recent times but, heaven forbid, we will have extra time and then penalties should Arsenal peg back our two-goal advantage. A long night, bitten nails, rising panic. No thank you. Do it the straight forward way. That means first and foremost defend well and if possible nick a goal as a real sickener. Do that and Arsenal have to score four times.

Will they be desperate to overturn a two-goal deficit or accept their fate because there are bigger fish to fry? No chance they will throw it away, they are out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle beaten by Man U on penalties and should they lose to Newcastle when Wembley is so close their only hope of silverware fans are demanding is to win the PL title or the Champions League. And what are the odds on either? Arteta needs a silver lining to keep everyone onside and he will sniff blood after Bournemouth and Fulham.