Things went from bad to worse when winger Gabriel Martinelli hobbled off with an apparent hamstring injury in the 37th minute, just two days after Arsenal stood pat in the January transfer window despite Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus already out through long-term injuries.

Arsenal are at a crossroads. There is so much still to play for this season – in the Premier League and the Champions League, the two most important competitions – but they are reaching a defining summer under Mikel Arteta.

Newcastle couldn’t resist taking a thinly veiled dig at Mikel Arteta after Arsenal were humbled at St James’ Park and slumped to a 2-0 defeat in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final. The Gunners faced an uphill task to overturn a 2-0 deficit after their profligate finishing in the first game was punished by Alexander Isak and Anthony