Newcastle off to Wembley again after Arsenal implode

Newcastle win 4-0 on aggregate

- RICHARD JOLLY

Newcastle United stand on the brink of history, 90 minutes away from ending their 70-year wait. “A long time,” said Eddie Howe, but it might almost be over. Without a domestic trophy since 1955, this may be their year. Wembley beckons and perhaps the club lamenting a lack of major silverware will instead be Arsenal. Unless they win either the Premier or the Champions League, Mikel Arteta’s side will bring up five years without a prize beyond the Community Shield.

It is not a drought by Newcastle’s standards but after the euphoria of Sunday’s demolition of Manchester City came a damaging night on Tyneside for Arsenal. “We need to swallow this one,” said Arteta. “It is a tough one.” His side ended up overwhelmed by Newcastle’s relentless running, overcome by goals from two wingers, Jacob Murphy and Anthony Gordon, overpowered by a striker, in Alexander Isak, who they had coveted and who now serves as their tormentor. Arsenal’s winter transfer window ended without a signing, to their regret.

Newcastle were as inactive but had further proof of Howe’s ability to galvanise them on a night when St James’ Park was electrifying and United irrepressible. They played at a ferocious pace, with a hunger that showed them at their best. “We were brave, aggressive, all the things we wanted to be,” said Howe. All the things that could propel them to glory. “Play like that and we can dream big,” said Bruno Guimaraes. “It would be amazing in my first season as captain to lift a trophy.”