Three Things We Learned after Newcastle ended Arsenal's Carabao Cup hopes 

Here's Ian Mills' port-mortem after Arsenal's League Cup hopes were ended by Newcastle 

An uphill task made impossible before half time as Newcastle run out worthy conquerors, as our Carabao Cup run comes to an end.

 Here are three things that stood out for me, writes Ian Mills 

 1 - Déjà vu as Isak, Gordon and Newcastle inflict yet more pain –

Despite a 14 game unbeaten Premier League run our hopes of domestic cup success are over in the first week of February as Newcastle recorded their third successive win over us this campaign.

They have yet to concede a goal against us and it is now four defeats from our last five visits to St James Park with just twi goals scored in those fixtures.

Aleksander Isak has been pivotal in all of the Geordies victories over us this season and whilst he may not have scored in this game, he gave a man of the match display as once again he made Gabriel and in particular, Saliba look very uncomfortable all evening.

It was his shot that struck the post to allow Murphy to open the scoring. Isak remains very near the top of Mikel Arteta’s striker wishlist however whilst the sizeable fee it would take to prize him from Eddie Howe’s side is just one complication, another is surely whether Isak feels whether a move to Arsenal can truly fulfil his dreams of silverware.

After all, he can now look forward to a Wembley Final in March whilst we are down to two competitions in which to chase glory – a seemingly improbable task of overhauling a Liverpool side that is playing well with surely the Player of the Season in Salah firing every week as well them having the rub of green both in terms of injuries and decisions.

Which leaves the Champions League, an itch that the Gunners have been unable to scratch ever since first competing in the competition’s forerunner, the European Cup, back in the 1971-72 campaign. 

Gordon added the second after a bad mistake from David Raya.

2 - Martinelli injury adds to attacking woes

- Hard to believe this was the same starting line-up that dismantled Manchester City just three days previously

However the first goal was always going to be the key moment and when Martin Odegaard missed a great opportunity (akin to Gabi Martinelli’s miss in the first leg at 0-0) and Newcastle scored a minute later – the die was firmly cast.

The latter’s hamstring injury is a concern and while it allowed Ethan Nwaneri to take up the ring wing berth it left us with just the distinctly underwhelming Raheem Sterling in reserve to try to change the game.

The decision not to add at least one more forward player in the January transfer window looks crazy at best and negligent at worst.

3 - Dubai needs to be a cure all once again –

When the squad headed off to Dubai last January having exited the FA Cup at the third round to record a third straight domestic defeat the club needed to re-focus and rebuild.

The trip certainly did the trick as upon return the club won 15 of their remaining 17 Premier League games taking the title race to the final day albeit finally falling short by just two points.

Is it too much to ask for another warm weather training camp to provide the impetus for Arsenal to go one better this time around and end their wait for a much needed trophy?