Mikel Arteta’s poor decision to sign three Arsenal players highlighted in shocking Carabao Cup defeat to Newcastle

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Arsenal will not be lifting the Carabao Cup this season following an emphatic defeat 4-0 on aggregate to Eddie Howe’s Newcastle.

Goals from Jacob Murphy and Antony Gordon put the tie beyond Mikel Arteta’s side and Arsenal could not cope with Newcastle’s physicality during the game.

William Saliba was embarrassed by striker Alexander Isak and the usually reliable French defender scored 2/10 in the Arsenal player ratings.

Arteta was disappointed the club failed to make a January signing but his past decisions in the market were highlighted on an evening where three Newcastle players particularly ran the show.

READ MORE: Arsenal fans think one star let the Carabao Cup slip during Newcastle display

Arsenal spent the same on Kai Havertz, Mikel Merino and Fabio Vieira as Newcastle did on Alexander Isak, Antony Gordon and Bruno Guimares

Arsenal spent around £140m on striker Kai Havertz and midfielders Mikel Merino and Fabio Vieira in recent years. Havertz has struggled to consistently convert chances in his new number nine position.

Arsenal fans have often criticised Merino this season and Vieira is now out on loan at Porto, where the Gunners refused to recall him in January despite being very light in attacking numbers.

For the same £140m, Newcastle were able to sign the impressive trio of Isak, Gordon and midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.

It shows that Arsenal have not spent their money wisely in some areas in recent years, the Newcastle trio were instrumental in the three wins the Magpies now have over Arteta’s side this season – all without Arsenal scoring.

Arsenal now need to focus on Premier League and Champions League following Dubai break

Another trophy has slipped away from Arsenal following defeat in the Carabao Cup and now the team must focus on catching Liverpool in the Premier League and aspiring to Champions League glory.

Arsenal will travel to Dubai for a mid-season break and will hope the break will refresh the squad ready to attack the rest of the season.

The Gunners won 16 out of their last 18 league games upon return from their Dubai break last season and will now hope for a similar impact after this trip.

It will give time for the likes of Ben White and Bukayo Saka to further recover from their injuries and could also allow Gabriel Martinelli to recover from a hamstring injury that forced him off against Newcastle.