There was no escape for Mikel Arteta's side last night - Newcastle's application without the ball made them worthy winners

The first domestic trophy of the season in English soccer will be lifted by one of Liverpool or Newcastle United.

While Newcastle United fans scrambled for trains, tickets and hotels around London for next month’s League Cup final through blissfully blurry vision, wide-eyed Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was leading his side on to an Emirates flight to Dubai for a much-needed warm weather winter training break.