The consensus from Newcastle United quarters before Tuesday's showdown with Arsenal was that a draw would be a perfectly acceptable result to take away from the Emirates Stadium in the first of two semi-final showdowns. Eddie Howe, never one to send his side out demanding anything less than a win, naturally wasn't subscribing to that notion as he arrived in the capital.

Instead it was a remarkable 2-0 win on the road, in a game where the visitors showed both style and substance in a pleasing performance. Front-foot pressing, solid and brave defending and a bold ambition to go and take the game to an Arsenal side going through a sticky patch of late.

This was not a smash and grab. This was a fearless showing at a ground not favourable to Newcastle over the years. This felt like a statement win in more ways than one.

READ MORE: Newcastle United's £108m transfer masterstroke to leave 'Big Six' rivals envious

READ MORE: Arsenal tunnel screams heard as Jason Tindall pulls off Newcastle United masterpiece

"Today is another big step forward when you look at the recent run we’ve had away from home,” Howe said in the immediate aftermath. “We played with real confidence and belief."

Newcastle's run of seven wins on the spin has inspired such confidence. It also doesn't hurt that Arsenal are running low on inspiration themselves.

In the immediate aftermath of the defeat the pressure was being piled on Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta as the knives are sharpened by the ever-reactive content creators synonymous with the North London outfit. After five years at the helm and only an early FA Cup and two Community Shields to celebrate, pressure is building on Arteta to deliver with silverware.

The fact the former Manchester City coach has spent more than £700m during his time at the helm certainly does not help matters. Especially given how weak Arsenal look in certain areas.

The need for an out and out striker remains, while summer signings such as Mikel Merino, Raheem Sterling and Riccardo Calafiori were all unused substitutes in Tuesday's clash. Newcastle, on the other hand, could hardly be in a different position after stellar recruitment in recent windows.

Alexander Isak at the peaks of his powers and looking worth every single penny of the £63m Newcastle splashed out on him. Anthony Gordon is firmly flourishing now back on the left. Sandro Tonali is purring and pulling the strings in the middle. Two classy, young, incredible full-backs are holding their own week in, week out and Howe has healthy competition all over the pitch.

As he continues to stress, it is only half-time. The job is not yet done. But beating Arsenal over two legs and in some style in their own backyard would feel huge.

The first leg ranks among the best victories of Howe's Newcastle tenure to date and arguably carries more significance than the memorable PSG thrashing or any of the clubs previous cup wins. The win could, down the line, be looked back on as a real marker in Newcastle's journey upwards - the night they went to a much bigger side and showed the world just how much progress they have made.