Now we have to look forward – first of all, I think this is going to be a painful one – and when we’re in Dubai, recharge and go again because we still have a lot to play

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.

Arsenal lacked their usual composure, according to manager Mikel Arteta, as his side bowed out of the League Cup semi-final with a 4-0 aggregate defeat by Newcastle United on Wednesday.