The last step awaits Newcastle United, without a domestic trophy since 1955, although the two wins that have preceded the final next month have been spectacular for Eddie Howe’s players – both times the men for the big occasion.

The League Cup did not even exist when Newcastle raised that last English trophy in their history, the FA Cup, and as the pages have turned over the intervening years so the wait has become ever more extraordinary. It will be just 38 days when they awake on Thursday morning until the second trip to Wembley under Howe in three years, and the prospect of a landmark afternoon in the long history of a club who just want to win something. But for the time being they can savour a brilliant victory over two  semi-final legs against an Arsenal team who could not live with them on either night.

There can scarcely be a better attacking combination in Europe currently than the quicksilver pace and rapid exchanges of Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak. The Englishman scored in this game, as he had in the first leg at the Emirates, and the dashing Swedish striker proved himself unplayable again for this usually composed Arsenal defence. Howe’s team do not have the weight of possession, nor the endless corners of Arsenal, and yet the smaller quantities of attacking moments that Newcastle did enjoy were used to much greater effect.

First Isak’s shot in the first half lashed against a post and rolled in by Jacob Murphy, then Howe’s shrewd press in the second half, which saw Fabian Schar sneak up from centre-back and pinch the ball from Declan Rice. Gordon finished the rest, and he was the game’s outstanding player by an inch on his team-mate Isak. Deep in conversation before the kick-off and then later during breaks in play, the pair do make it look easy at times. At the end of the first half, Gordon seemed exhausted but then in the second half he and Newcastle were renewed again.

For Arsenal it was a tie that just never felt in their control. Either at home or this time from Isak’s fourth-minute goal, that was disallowed for offside by what seemed like the stitching on his sleeve, to Murphy’s goal 15 minutes later. Mikel Arteta would say that his team struggled to cope in the parts of the game that “became more chaotic”. Although that seemed like all the parts when Arsenal did not have the ball and Newcastle were passing swiftly through their high line.

“It must be the ball” sang the home fans to Arteta in the second half, and there was much mockery at the expense of the Arsenal manager and his remarks about the Carabao Cup Puma ball after the first leg. Howe has won four to Arteta’s three in the last eight games between Newcastle and Arsenal – and it felt like he got it right again this time. A five-man back line that sapped the energy of the Arsenal attack, and then the forays of the spare centre-half to try to steal possession higher up the pitch. Howe confirmed that Newcastle had trained in that shape all week.

For his part, Arteta refused to blame the burden of 11 games in the last 36 days for his team. As for their set-piece mastery, they won 13 corners to Newcastle’s one and yet never created the chances to win the game. Martin Odegaard hit a post just before Murphy scored the first. They look like a team in need of a striker of the confidence of Isak, whom they tried to sign in January with none of the conviction that suggested they might be successful.

Howe’s team were not exactly in formidable form, with two defeats in their last two home league games. They had waited almost a month since the first leg at the Emirates and it had, Howe said, given him much time to change his mind about what he wanted to do. In the end he said it was height that concerned him the most and, with Joelinton unavailable, he decided he wanted Schar, Sven Botman and Dan Burn in the team. Yet it never felt like a defensive side. From the likes of Lewis Hall and Murphy there were excellent performances.

Had this game been on the minds of his players during their defeat by Fulham at the weekend? Howe did not disagree and it certainly felt like a side rising to the occasion. Within four minutes, Isak had scored a fabulous goal that was ruled out on a narrow offside call from VAR. His finish off his right foot was glorious – an upward soaring drive on the run past David Raya.

What turned into the first goal after 19 minutes started with an exchange between Isak and Gordon just inside Arsenal’s half and then Isak wrapped his left around the shot. It clipped the inside of a post and was tidied up nicely by Murphy. Odegaard’s miss had been just before that. Gabriel Martinelli went off not long after to be replaced by Ethan Nwaneri, who had a good duel with Hall.

Newcastle’s sharpness was always a risk to Arsenal. Isak had the measure of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes. Gordon glided past challenges. The second Newcastle goal came after 51 minutes when Schar picked off Raya’s pass to Rice and Gordon finished. It was the second time Newcastle had set that trap successfully in the space of a few minutes.

One of the mascots was the son of the late Newcastle midfielder Chieck Tiote, Rafael, on the 14th anniversary of his father’s equaliser in the epic 4-4 draw between these two clubs.

As is his way, Howe has tried to steer clear of the significance of what might be Newcastle’s first domestic trophy in 70 years. He knows that winning a final against Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur would be too big for many to contemplate in prospect and gladly leaves that to others. He agreed with a smile that it was good that all those speculative bookings of hotels and London trains could now be banked. “A really good emotional response to a really emotional game,” he said. His team do feed off the big-energy nights of St James’ Park – it is those in between that cause him more concern.

Guimaraes: Newcastle had Arsenal beaten before ball was kicked

Bruno Guimaraes claimed Newcastle United had already beaten Arsenal before a ball was kicked in the second leg of their League Cup semi-final, thanks to their “amazing” manager Eddie Howe.

The Newcastle captain admitted he had felt nervous in the build-up, recognising the magnitude of the game and what a second trip in three years to Wembley for a cup final would mean for the city and the supporters.

But Howe’s clever game plan was far too good for Arsenal, switching to a five-man defence and setting a series of traps for the visitors to fall into, using the pace of Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon to spook the visitors’ defence in transition.

“[It was an] unbelievable performance from everyone,” said Bruno. “We must thank the fans as well. Here we go, another final for the club and hopefully we can win this one.

“I felt anxious before the game, a big game. Arsenal are a top, top team but when we play like that we become an amazing team.

“For me, the manager is amazing. He deserves the credit. We couldn’t have a better manager than him. He won the game in the pre-match. Play like that and we can dream big. It would be amazing to get a trophy, it is my dream to do this.

“We knew that, if we scored first, it would be amazing for us. Everything was like we planned it. Now we celebrate with the boys. I think everyone in the city is very, very happy, so I want to enjoy it a little bit with them.”

Bruno’s glowing tribute to Howe was echoed by goalscorer Gordon, who delivered another outstanding performance in a high-stakes game.

“We knew the first goal was always going to be massive,” said Gordon. “If they got the first it would have got really tense.

“Everyone knows we don’t change much. We are always going to press and try to put teams under pressure.

“The gaffer altered it a little bit, I played inside a bit more, and they struggled with it on the counter-attack because they couldn’t really pick me and Murph [Murphy] up, and Alex [Isak] does what Alex does. I think the gaffer deserves all the credit.

“I have been involved in some great moments with the club, in the Champions League where we have won big games here [at St James’ Park], but that game was probably my best moment so far.

“It was probably the biggest game of my career so far, a semi-final, and it will be my first club appearance at Wembley. I’m so excited.

“I live for those moments and these games, it is where I am at my best, when there is the most pressure.”

For Mikel Arteta, there was only deflation as another opportunity to win a second trophy as Arsenal manager was snatched away from him. There were few complaints. His team lost to the better side.

“We had so many expectations that we could turn it around [after losing the first leg 2-0],” said the Spaniard. “We had chances to gather momentum in the game, we had some big moments, but we did not capitalise. Then they score a goal and the game shifts. We started to struggle in the second half, the game started to get away from us. They are a tough opponent.

“When you want to win trophies and when you want to get to cup finals, you have to be effective in the box and in the two games, we haven’t been. That has been the main difference. We are normally more composed, but the game went away from us. Emotionally, it was a very difficult game.”

10:59 PM GMT

Kieran Tripper speaking on Sky

10:52 PM GMT

Arteta on Arsenal’s performance

10:48 PM GMT

Arteta on Isak

10:31 PM GMT

Arteta says Martinelli felt his hamstring

10:28 PM GMT

Some banter from the Newcastle X account

10:21 PM GMT

Bruno on Newcastle’s night

10:19 PM GMT

Howe said he came up with his gameplan on Monday

It was a great night for us. It was a tough game but tactically we were good. The intention was to be aggressive and sometimes when you do that it doesn’t always work. Today it did. I thought it helped to solidify our plan. We had to retreat at times but we were always in the game.

The work [on the game plan] started on Monday, which is quick. The Champions League last year helped us to work on those two-day turnarounds. We do tweak things depending on the opposition. We felt we needed more height in the team, we wanted solidity at the back and we had to change in order to win the game.

The players followed the instruction to the letter, they deserve the credit. Fabian [Schar] had big distances to cover in his job, tracking Declan Rice whether he dropped low or went wide or went central. At times he went right across the pitch. He is a good athlete and is very capable of doing it.

10:15 PM GMT

Newcastle’s celebrations

10:08 PM GMT

Stay humble features in Gordon’s post-match comments

10:02 PM GMT

Howe’s strong record vs Arteta

09:58 PM GMT

FT: Newcastle 2 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 4-0)

Newcastle are into the Carabao Cup final after vanquishing Arsenal in comprehensive style over the two legs of this semi-final. Newcastle will have a chance to win their first domestic trophy since 1955 at Wembley, where they lost the League Cup final two years to Manchester United. Their approach was spot on over the two legs, and Alexander Isak was in a class of his own.

Arsenal probably created enough for a 2-2 draw at the Emirates, but they were outplayed tonight and were not at the races. Even their most reliable performers Saliba, Gabriel, Rice, Havertz and Odegaard were well off it.

09:51 PM GMT

90 minutes: Newcastle 2 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 4-0)

Declan Rice has just tested Dubravka from a tight angle. Arsenal win a corner, from which Lewis-Skelly heads over when unmarked in the six-yard box. Not known for his aerial strength, but he should have scored.

There will be four minutes of added time.

09:48 PM GMT

87 minutes: Newcastle 2 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 4-0)

Declan Rice body-checked Tonali off the ball, and then lunged in late on Bruno G. The Newcastle midfielder gets up and whips up the crowd. The Trippier tries to have a word with Lewis-Skelly, and Rice ushers his former England team-mate away.

09:46 PM GMT

85 minutes: Newcastle 2 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 4-0)

Bruno G with a no-look pass which the Newcastle fans love, but Arsenal just about survive from the resulting cross without further damage. Calafiori has been playing at right-back since coming on.

09:42 PM GMT

82 minutes: Newcastle 2 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 4-0)

Havertz goes down looking for a penalty, claiming Burn pulled him down but VAR checks and rules he ran into the Newcastle defender.

09:40 PM GMT

80 minutes: Newcastle 2 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 4-0)

Rice with a corner curled behind for a Newcastle goal kick. Krafth and Willock are on for Newcastle, Botman and Murphy are the players off for the home team.

09:38 PM GMT

77 minutes: Newcastle 2 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 4-0)

Calafiori and Jorginho are about to come on for Arsenal. Havertz tries to work a yard for a shot, but his touch lets him down. At times Havertz has looked like a tired horse weaving his way to the finish post at Aintree. He needs a week off badly.

Partey and Timber are coming off.

09:35 PM GMT

74 minutes: Newcastle 2 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 4-0)

Martin Dubravka goes down to receive some treatment. It must be a genuine niggle because there is no real need to waste time at this stage. Thomas Partey challenges Tonali, who wants a free-kick, but it will be a Newcastle throw-in.

09:32 PM GMT

70 minutes: Newcastle 2 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 4-0)

Newcastle’s fans have found their voice, they are cruising through to the final. Arsenal look very short of energy and ideas. Anthony Gordon defends near his own box against Nwaneri, great diligence from the winger.

09:28 PM GMT

68 minutes: Newcastle 2 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 4-0)

“Mikel Arteta, it must be the ball,” is the chant from the Newcastle fans. Arsenal are accumulating the corners, but nothing too clear-cut.

All four sides of St James’ Park are currently singing Mikel Arteta, it must be the ball…” and “He’s going to cry in a minute.”

09:26 PM GMT

66 minutes: Newcastle 2 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 4-0)

Havertz has had one of his poorest Arsenal games in a long while, he looks shattered. The game has entered a bit of a lull now. Even Newcastle’s fans sound like they are waiting for the final-whistle so the celebrations can begin in earnest.

09:24 PM GMT

64 minutes: Newcastle 2 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 4-0)

Nwaneri with a nice burst down the right and he stands up a teasing cross but there was no Arsenal player attacking the six-yard box. Arsenal continuing to see a lot of the ball, but their race is run unless something extraordinary happens.

09:21 PM GMT

60 minutes: Newcastle 2 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 4-0)

Arsenal have a corner and they are making a double sub: Odegaard and Trossard off, Merino and Sterling on. Odegaard coming off feels like Arteta looking ahead to the Premier League schedule post this mini-break.

09:20 PM GMT

60 minutes: Newcastle 2 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 4-0)

Raya tries to set Havertz away with a long kick, but Lewis Hall stood his ground and defended well. The Nwaneri is the latest Arsenal player to lose the ball in midfield, and Isak shoots straight at Raya.

09:18 PM GMT

58 minutes: Newcastle 2 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 4-0)

Arsenal having some possession in the Newcastle half, but it all feels a little futile. Partey then trips Gordon and Newcastle can shift up the pitch again.

09:16 PM GMT

56 minutes: Newcastle 2 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 4-0)

Isak with more superb hold up play to win a foul in midfield, and he has tormented Arsenal over the two legs. Arsenal have missed some chances but they have been beaten up fair and square over the two games.

09:13 PM GMT

GOOOAALLL! Gordon punishes Rice’s error

Arsenal caught on the ball again, much as they caught City playing out from the back at the Emirates on Sunday. Raya with a straight pass into Rice at the edge of the box, and Newcastle’s centre-back followed Schar followed Rice all the way. His challenge ran for Gordon and he finished beyond Raya. That is surely tie over.

That may look like a mistake from Arsenal but it is a trap Newcastle have set for them and they have fallen into it.

Fabian Schar has been prowling behind Declan Rice all game when he looks to collect the ball from his goalkeeper and after Gordon rushes Raya the trap is sprung. Schar anticipates that the only ball on is into the feet of Rice, who is facing his own goal and does not realise the Newcastle centre back is there.

Schar slides in and, having missed a great chance moments, earlier, Gordon is in the perfect place to sweep the ball home first time.

The noise inside this stadium is sensational and the scarves being twirled in celebration were a sight to behold.

09:12 PM GMT

51 minutes: Newcastle 1 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 3-0)

Rice’s corner to the back post drifted behind for a goal kick. Gordon’s chance really was not far away from the far corner. Saliba’s performance tonight has been a mystery.

09:10 PM GMT

49 minutes: Newcastle 1 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 3-0)

So close to Newcastle’s second goal! Saliba with another horrible moment as the last man back, dallying on the ball and caught by Gordon. The winger went for the early shot beyond Raya who was out of his goal, but it drifted wide of the far post.

Rice then does well to win a 50:50 in midfield and Trossard wins a corner. Murphy then heads behind for another after Nwaneri’s cross.

09:08 PM GMT

47 minutes: Newcastle 1 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 3-0)

Arsenal not looking especially smooth in the first few minutes of the second half, Havertz and Rice not eating up the ground in their usual manner.

Bruno G has just been shown the most nailed-on yellow card you will see for a foul on Trossard. The Belgian was always getting there first and the Newcastle midfielder nailed him on the top of the boot.

09:06 PM GMT

We’re back under way

Newcastle get the second half started.

09:06 PM GMT

The players are back out

Newcastle, much like Arsenal, are very adept at running the clock down using a variety of means. They just need to see this through in a professional way. Hard to see how Arsenal can muster the firepower without Saka, Martinelli, Jesus or a January signing.

09:00 PM GMT

Still going strong on Newcastle’s right flank

08:52 PM GMT

HT: Newcastle 1 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 3-0)

Newcastle have more than one foot in the final now. They started the game at a frenetic pace, unsettling Arsenal’s defenders, and though the contest was slightly chaotic they landed the first punch through Murphy after Isak hit the post. They were fractions away from doing so even earlier through Isak’s disallowed goal. Arsenal will rue Odegaard’s missed chance at 0-0 but they have not looked stable and now do not look especially dangerous. To top it off, they have lost Martinelli to injury.

Newcastle will be very happy with how that first half has gone and had it not been for the tightest of offside decisions against Alexander Isak they would be 2-0 up.

Having scored the first goal, though, Eddie Howe’s decision to play with three centre backs look a very astute one.

The Magpies are happy to let Arsenal have the ball now, dropping into a bank of five in defence with the midfield four sitting in front of them as an extra layer of protection.

Arsenal look good but cannot find a final pass to get in behind the Magpies and other than one save to deny Trossard, goalkeeper Martin Dubravka has had very little to do.

08:50 PM GMT

45 minutes+5: Newcastle 1 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 3-0)

Dan Burn with a well-timed challenge on Nwaneri in the box after some neater Arsenal football around the box. Lewis-Skelly does brilliantly to win a free-kick but there is not time to take it.

08:48 PM GMT

45 minutes+3: Newcastle 1 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 3-0)

Newcastle finishing the half with a flourish through Gordon, who first curls a shot wide and then takes Saliba for a run to win the corner. Newcastle’s forwards have caused serious damage throughout, even if Arsenal have had intermittment spells of possession.

08:45 PM GMT

45 minutes: Newcastle 1 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 3-0)

There will be FIVE minutes of added time.

08:44 PM GMT

45 minutes: Newcastle 1 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 3-0)

Now Saliba is shown a yellow card for tangling with Gordon and pulling back the winger. Newcastle are testing the French centre-back with long straight balls and he is struggling.

08:42 PM GMT

43 minutes: Newcastle 1 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 3-0)

Arsenal getting frustrated now, and Havertz is booked for barging Bruno Guimaraes over near the corner flag. Not for the first time tonight, Trippier is around the incident within seconds.

08:40 PM GMT

40 minutes: Newcastle 1 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 3-0)

Timber with a loose touch near the touchline and the ball dribbles out for a Newcastle throw. Then Nwaneri sends a cross behind for a Newcastle goal kick with a cross with his weaker foot. Arsenal looking less threatening in this period of the game.

08:39 PM GMT

Newcastle begin to retreat

Newcastle are dropping very deep, inviting Arsenal on to them in the hope of springing another rapid counter attack .

It has almost come off a couple of times and the Gunners defence is playing so high, the speed of Isak, Gordon and Murphy could easily leave them in real trouble.

It has taken a monumental effort from Eddie Howe’s players so far and theft are starting to slow down a little as we approach half time.

That is just sparking their fans into life though as they burst into yet another chant to life their team.

08:37 PM GMT

37 minutes: Newcastle 1 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 3-0)

Big injury worry for Arsenal, especially in light of the lack of a forward signing: Gabriel Martinelli has gone off clutching his hamstring, replaced by Ethan Nwaneri.

08:36 PM GMT

35 minutes: Newcastle 1 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 3-0)

Newcastle almost playing for time and territory near the corner, and then Bruno does a couple of keepie-uppies to the annoyance of the Arsenal players. The free-kick results in an Arsenal goal kick, and Lewis-Skelly does brilliantly to turn out of pressure.

08:33 PM GMT

33 minutes: Newcastle 1 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 3-0)

Gabriel partially slipped when Arsenal had everyone pushed forward, but Isak immediately gave the ball away. Sound defending from Botman to ease out Havertz. Lots of errors and nervous energy from both teams, but Newcastle have the goals in their pocket.

08:31 PM GMT

30 minutes: Newcastle 1 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 3-0)

Timber with a loose pass to Martinelli that bounces out for a Newcastle throw. Odegaard may have just jarred his foot in a challenge near the touchline, but he is back on the pitch. Gabriel then defends well near the corner flag to win a foul and stop the Newcastle counter, and Trippier tries to wind him up.

08:28 PM GMT

28 minutes: Newcastle 1 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 3-0)

Arsenal seeing plenty of the ball and territory now, but Newcastle are poised to counter on them. Lovely touch from Martinelli to start another attack off, but he telegraphs his movement and Gordon blocks his cross. Newcastle remain in command, for now.

08:25 PM GMT

24 minutes: Newcastle 1 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 3-0)

Arsenal with another decent chance! Dubravka saves with his feet from Trossard. Newcastle look such a threat every time they come forward, but they still look nervy defensively. Arsenal rack up successive corners, with Dubravka under pressure. The ball drops in a dangerous spot, but Newcastle clear before Gordon fouls Lewis-Skelly.

08:22 PM GMT

22 minutes: Newcastle 1 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 3-0)

The game has gone haywire in the last few minutes, swinging from end to end. Before the game, the consensus was tie over if Newcastle score first. That will most likely be true, but it does have the feel of a crazy game already.

08:20 PM GMT

GOOOALL! Murphy gives Newcastle a lead that will surely count

Murphy the scorer, but it is all about Isak in the build-up. He nicks in front of Saliba and receives the ball back, before unleashing a shot with his left foot that clatters against the post. It falls for the unmarked Murphy to tap into the empty net.

What a strike from Alexander Isak with his weaker left foot. A curling thunderbolt from just outside the area that seemed destined for the top corner right until the moment it struck the post.

The groans immediately turned into cheers as Jacob Murphy kept his composure to roll in the ricochet. That was a far more difficult finish in real time than it might have looked back home on television.

08:19 PM GMT

17 minutes: Newcastle 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 2-0)

Arsenal’s best move of the match, establishing possession deep in the Newcastle half. Odegaard zipped a pass into Havertz who set the ball back for his captain but Odegaard’s shot was blocked.

Then Odegaard misses an even better chance! Martinelli clattered outside the box but the ball ran through for Odegaard whose right-footed shot clipped the outside of the post.

08:16 PM GMT

15 minutes: Newcastle 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 2-0)

Newcastle continue to be the team in the ascendancy, Murphy floats in a cross to the back stick from the right which Hall volleys into the side netting. Arsenal struggling for any continuity in possession, so they are not in shape when they do lose it. Dubravka almost presents them with a gift under pressure from Trossard but the Newcastle goalkeeper squeezed a pass out.

08:13 PM GMT

13 minutes: Newcastle 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 2-0)

Arsenal unable to build up any rhythm so far, and first Raya and then Saliba slice clearances up into the air. Then Rice is caught on the ball at the edge of his own box. Newcastle are harrying them at every opportunity, reminiscent to the game in May 2022. Odegaard drops back to settle things down for Arsenal. Impressive pressing from Newcastle, but can they sustain it?

08:10 PM GMT

Sensational atmosphere at St James’

As they did before the thrashing of Paris Saint Germain in the Champions League last season, Newcastle switched up their pre-match music to include AC/DCs Thunder which helped whip the home fans into a frenzy.

The stadium was full several minutes before the players left the pitch at the end of their warm up. The noise is ear-splittingly loud at the moment and the team has responded.

The roof almost came off St James’ Park when it looked like Alexander Isak had given his team the lead only for the goal to be ruled out for a very tight offside.

That was so close to the perfect start for the Magpies. How will they respond to that mini setback?

08:08 PM GMT

8 minutes: Newcastle 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 2-0)

“Same old Arsenal, always cheating,” rings around St James’ after the away team win a free-kick wide left. That is an emotional blow for Newcastle but they will surely take encouragement from how easily they got in behind Arsenal’s defence and the quality of Isak’s finish.

08:06 PM GMT

Simon Hooper announces the decision: NO GOAL

This is one of the most marginal offsides you will see, cigarettes paper in it.. but it has gone Arsenal’s way. Boos ring around St James’ Park. There was little to separate Isak and the Saliba.

Simon Hooper’s voice over the PA system at St James’ Park very much reduced to bee-in-a-jamjar quality for the match going fan. Doesn’t seem to be enjoying doing the public pronouncements

08:05 PM GMT

GOOOAALLL! Isak buries Newcastle’s first chance and possibly Arsenal

Raya kicked long, and Tonali pounced on the second ball in midfield in front of Partey. Gordon flipped a first-time pass forward for Isak in the right channel and he blasted beyond the helpless Raya.

But it was a very tight offside call... VAR is checking.

08:03 PM GMT

4 minutes: Newcastle 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 2-0)

Newcastle fail to make anything of their set-piece, and Timber is then pushed over in the box by Isak.

08:02 PM GMT

2 minutes: Newcastle 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 2-0)

Rice does indeed go over to the right to take the early free-kick. Headed behind by Isak for an Arsenal corner. Too early in the game to call this a start by either side, but it is a sharp reminder of the reality of the contest for Newcastle fans.

Martinelli then misplaces a pass and has to sprint back to defend the counter against Murphy who was too strong for the Arsenal man. Foul, but no yellow card much to the annoyance of the crowd and Kieran Trippier.

08:00 PM GMT

KICK OFF!

Arsenal get the game started. They go back to Raya and he kicks long looking for territory. Gordon fouls Havertz and Rice will have the chance to deliver into the box inside the first minute.

07:58 PM GMT

The players are on their way out

Throaty roar from the Newcastle fans the second Bruno Guimaraes stepped out of the mouth of the tunnel. Arsenal will have to do a lot of things right in the first 10 or 15 minutes to quieten this lot down. The volume suggests more than a few afternoons have been booked off work to wet the larynx before the game.

07:56 PM GMT

The flags are on full display

Arsenal won at St James’ in May 2023, but have lost three Premier League matches either side of that game, failing to score in all three of those defeats. There is needle between the players, the benches, and even the boardrooms with Arsenal one of the strongest proponents of regulation and cost controls in the Premier League, something which affects Newcastle conspicuously. It has become an unlikely rivalry.

07:50 PM GMT

Arteta on Arsenal’s No 9 options other than Havertz

07:47 PM GMT

Howe on the Newcastle crowd

07:40 PM GMT

Arteta’s pre-match thoughts

07:29 PM GMT

Howe’s big selection call

The big talking point before kick off is Newcastle have switched to five at the back in the absence of Joelinton.

The three centre backs are presumably being deployed to try and limit Arsenal’s threat at set pieces but does it send the wrong message? Newcastle are leading 2-0 from the first leg, are they going to try and protect that lead rather than add to it?

The return of Kieran Trippier at right-back is also an interesting call. The former England international offers far more as an attacking threat than Tino Livramento and as Newcastle are playing with wing backs, you can see why that is attractive to manager Eddie Howe. His experience will also be crucial on a night like this.

07:26 PM GMT

The match ball

Arteta suggested that the different feel and trajectory of the League Cup ball was a factor in Arsenal’s wayward finishing against Newcastle in the first leg. Thom Gibbs paid a visit to League Two club Bromley to put the theory to the test and see how the Puma ball compares to the Premier League’s Nike model.

07:21 PM GMT

The team news assessed

Howe would not give anything away regarding Newcastle’s formation out of possession tonight and whether it will be a back four or five. Lewis Hall could play in the midfield three or as a wing-back. If he is on the left of the midfield trio, he will be tasked with cutting the supply into Martin Odegaard, a defensive role which could suit him.

If Newcastle do play a back four, it will be Dan Burn at left-back and Arteta might fancy having Gabriel Martinelli run off his inside shoulder. Nwaneri can feel unlucky not to get the nod, but we could be in for a long night. No changes is informed by the 10-day break that follows this game for Arsenal.

07:12 PM GMT

The St James’ Park atmosphere

As Luke Edwards writes here, Newcastle fans pride themselves on the hostile atmosphere they create at home, and fixtures against Arsenal have tended to increase the decibel levels in recent years. There is another emotional dimension though: the years the Geordie faithful have waited for silverware and the fear of blowing a two-goal lead.

07:06 PM GMT

Howe’s pre-match thoughts

07:02 PM GMT

Arsenal unchanged from Man City win

Arsenal starting XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Partey, Rice, Odegaard; Martinelli, Havertz, Trossard

Subs: Setford, Kiwior, Calafiori, Tierney, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Merino, Sterling, Nwaneri

07:00 PM GMT

Newcastle team and subs

06:50 PM GMT

Howe on Newcastle’s approach

06:48 PM GMT

Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri’s connection

There is a chance both players start tonight, although Lewis-Skelly’s left-back berth is the one position where Arteta has scope to add fresh legs. Nwaneri surely stands a great chance of making the starting XI, given his growing reputation as a dead-eyed shooter from around the edge of the box. Arsenal are chasing goals and Nwaneri already has seven in all competitions.

Sam Dean has the story of Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly’s 12-year-old friendship. Nwaneri is not yet old enough to change with the rest of his team-mates.

06:44 PM GMT

Do we see more comebacks now?

The statistics will tell you that a two-goal lead is not really that dangerous, especially in League Cup semi-finals.

We see more two-legged football in Europe though, and there has been a growing trend of mad comebacks in the not too distant past: Barcelona’s ‘Remontada’ against PSG in 2017 from 4-0 down, Roma overturning a 4-1 first-leg loss to Barcelona in 2018, Barcelona losing a three-goal lead to Liverpool in 2019, Tottenham reeling in Ajax from 3-0 down on aggregate the following night. Earlier that same season, Manchester United lost 2-0 to PSG at Old Trafford only to win 3-1 in Paris in the last 16 thanks to Marcus Rashford’s late penalty.

A freakish spell of results perhaps, or do teams now struggle to shut games down?

I also recall Chelsea winning 3-1 at Anfield in the 2009 Champions League quarter-finals, only to find themselves 2-0 down at half-time of the second leg at Stamford Bridge. They progressed in the end, but were caught in two minds early on while Liverpool had no choice but to attack. These games can have a strange dynamic.

06:39 PM GMT

Arteta on Arsenal facing their ‘bogey team’

06:35 PM GMT

Newcastle’s players have arrived in good time

No sign of Joelinton at the moment, but maybe Howe is keeping him away from the cameras. It is the sort of trick Arteta would use.

06:29 PM GMT

One pre-match team talk has already started

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06:26 PM GMT

Arsenal ready to go “full gas” to upset the odds at St James’ Park

History is against Arsenal but weighs on Newcastle going into tonight’s League Cup semi-final second leg at St James’ Park, with the home team looking to build on a 2-0 lead established in north London.

Only twice in 31 previous occasions has a team lost a semi-final first leg in this competition and gone on to reach the final, though Arsenal produced one of those comebacks against Spurs in 1987. Aston Villa in 1994 are the only case in 32 instances of a team overturning a two-goal deficit and that came against Tranmere Rovers.

Newcastle are looking to end a 70-year wait for major domestic silverware, one of English football’s most remarkable barren runs considering the club’s fervent support and bountiful catchment area for talented young players.

Eddie Howe’s team were flying when they arrived at the Emirates - four weeks before tonight’s game - and were well worth their victory. They rode their luck at times defensively, with Gabriel Martinelli hitting the post and Kai Havertz missing a header from just a few yards out. They were aggressive and positive at the start of the game though, with Alexander Isak eluding Arsenal defenders with ease.

Newcastle’s manager has called on his players to forget the scoreline and start on the front foot, but that can be easier said than done. They have also been rocked by home league defeats to Fulham and Bournemouth since the first leg, conceding six goals in the process, while Arsenal arrive buoyed by their rousing victory over Manchester City on Sunday.

Owing to Arsenal’s elimination from the FA Cup, they have a 10-day break after this game with Mikel Arteta stating they can go “full gas” and give this a proper swing. Arsenal failed to recruit a forward in the January transfer window, so there is little scope for rotation up top, but Riccardo Calafiori, Mikel Merino and Ethan Nwaneri are pushing for starts. Newcastle are concerned by a potential knee problem for Joelinton, but it remains to be seen if the big Brazilian can be patched up for this one.

Full team news on the way shortly.