Newcastle United booked their place in the Carabao Cup final on a night that left Mikel Arteta speechless at St James' Park.

On a true glory night, Newcastle fans twirled scarves and made it an atmosphere to remember - with their injured midfield enforcer joining in with a triumphant gesture of his own from the bench. As Newcastle went 2-0 up, Joelinton screamed with joy to the fans around him next to the dugout.

Having won the first leg in style at the Emirates Stadium, Arteta had failed to give the Magpies any credit in the capital and went on to blame the League Cup balls! But Arteta and the Gunners were made to pay as they felt the full force of a Newcastle team who were right on the money.

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As Anthony Gordon added to Jacob Murphy's first half goal a chant of: "Oh Mikel Arteta, it must be the balls" broke out around this famous old stadium. They'd not only been treated to a superb performance of Local Hero by Sam Fender band member Johnny "Blue Hat" Davis on the sax, they'd watched on as every tackle was made to count and every pass and cross had purpose.

Howe opted to switch to a five-man defensive rearguard as he looked to protect that precious 2-0 lead from the first leg. The change-up resulted in Kieran Trippier coming into the back five, Tino Livramento dropping to the bench, and a three-man central unit of Sven Botman, Fabian Schar, and Dan Burn operating at the heart of things.

For all the debate about shutting shop, it looked like Newcastle had grabbed the lead on the night after four minutes. Anthony Gordon slipped in Alexander Isak and the star strode through before firing it past David Raya.

But the goal would be chalked off as referee Simon Hooper told the crowd, via the tannoy, that Isak had strayed offside. On 15 minutes, a Jacob Murphy cross from the right fell for Lewis Hall at the back post, but he fired it into the side netting at the Leazes End.

The Gunners created an opening on 19 minutes as Gabriel Martinelli trickled the ball to Martin Odegaard but the ball skimmed the outside of the post. It was a chance Arsenal would rue as Newcastle extended their lead a minute later!

From the missed chance, Martin Dubravka booted the ball upfield with Isak and Gordon combining well before the Sweden star's scorching shot smacked the post and rolled across the face of goal to Murphy, who fired home the rebound.

Arsenal drastically tried to change things on 38 minutes when Ethan Nwaneri replaced Gabriel Martinelli. William Saliba went into the book for pulling back Gordon just before half-time as the visitors resorted to foul means.

As the game drifted into first half stoppage time Gordon motored inside before sending a decent effort just wide of the target. However, Newcastle were more than happy with a 3-0 aggregate lead going into the break.

Newcastle tried to double down their position in the second half with skipper Bruno Guimaraes going into the book on 47 minutes for wiping out Leandro Trossard. A defensive slip up from Saliba on 48 minutes almost let Gordon in at Gallowgate but he sent his effort wide.

With a little bit more composure, Gordon could have killed the tie completely but Newcastle remained in a sturdy position. But Gordon did not have to wait much longer to put the lid on the night with 52 minutes gone.

As Arsenal rocked around with St James' Park's foundations quivering, Declan Rice played the ball straight into the path of the Scouser who took a touch and swept it past Raya to double the lead on the night.

It was a moment Gordon loved as he made his way to the fans, grabbed a scarf and swirled it into the mild Tyneside air.

That was it, night over, game over and tie over. Game, set and match.

Arsenal threw on ex-Newcastle midfielder Mikel Merino and former England man Raheem Sterling with half an hour to play. Howe made some changes to introduce fresh legs as Sven Botman, outstanding on the night, and Murphy went off to a standing ovation.

The same could be said for the star Arsenal would love to sign as Isak was replaced by fit again Callum Wilson while Sean Longstaff came on for Tonali.

But by that time many fans were already making plans for Wembley. Newcastle are heading back to the capital, another big London weekend awaits.

Referee: Simon Hooper (Wiltshire)

Attendance: 52,137