Arsenal 0-2 Newcastle

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If we can get them back to St James' in February within a goal, I'd probably take it.

So said I to close the previous match report ahead of this daunting trip to a ground that we last won at courtesy of an emergent Andy Carroll header in 2010.

And yet we came to the Emirates and did what Newcastle apparently now do: beat big clubs away.

And this was a tactical masterclass from Eddie Howe's- oh, sorry no, news just coming in from Arteta's press conference that actually the ball is too different from the one they're used to and that's why they lost.

Fair enough.

Which just goes to show exactly how good Isak must be, latching onto the customary (we are all) Jacob Murphy assist to smash the funny ball in off the bar in the 37th minute of an even half, in which Arsenal had more possession but Newcastle constantly threatened in attack.

And six minutes after the break, Isak shot low across the keeper who pushed it wide and Gordon was quickest to react to tuck home, celebrating in the style of poor man's Alexander Isak - Thierry Henry.

At the hour mark, with Isak still torturing the Arsenal centre backs with every twist, turn, dart and dash, Sir Eddie decided to hold what we had, replacing Isak with Kelly to revert to a back 5 with Gordon up top, Longstaff replacing Willock and Barnes on for Murphy.

And on 75 minutes, with Arsenal huffing and puffing in their attempts to win corners, we properly battened down the hatches, replacing Gordon with Miggy who told the team in no uncertain terms to drop into a "FIVE FIVE" formation.

I'm not sure I've ever seen such a structured two-banks-of-five setup but it frustrated Arsenal brilliantly, and there were absolutely massive performances right across the park for Newcastle to see out the game without any major peril.

To achieve this result without Schar and Bruno speaks volumes of Sir Eddie's tactical nous, as well as banishing any whispers from earlier in the season that the players may not be playing for him.

Botman was a colossus at the back, playing his second 90 minutes in three days following a nine month ACL layoff.

Hall once again showed he's the best left back in the country on current form.

Isak is properly, truly world class.

Murphy played yet another incredible ball into Isak in the build up for the second goal (we are all truly Jacob Murphy).

Burn looks undroppable, and with Botman looking so at ease on the right of the pairing, Schar has a job to get back in.

And I would swear that at times we had three Tonalis on the pitch.

Final mention goes to Martin Dubravka, apparently in tears as he left the pitch ahead of a final payday in Saudi.

After pushing for the loan to Man United that really screwed us in the League Cup final two seasons ago, his legacy was in danger of being scuppered, but if this was his final performance then his career in Toon has been bookended by fine clean sheets after his stellar debut against Man United and he should go with our best wishes and fond memories.

So, half time in this two-legged tie, and everybody of a black and white persuasion knows fine well not to count your magpies until they've come home to roost.

The question is, how much is Arteta going to want to prioritise overturning a two goal deficit at a raucous St James' next month while juggling their faltering league campaign and Champions' League travails? Because one thing's for certain, we will be up for the cup.