That post-win tradition of posting a squad celebration picture on X – initiated by Eddie Howe to emphasise unity and encourage the players to enjoy their wins – was absent in north London and that was absolutely deliberate.
As an insight into the mentality of this Newcastle United squad, it is fascinating but only tells half the story. It is not just that they have a semi-final second leg to see out at St James’ Park next month – their collective eyes are on a bigger prize in March.
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Read MoreThey froze on that freezing cup final day, perhaps engulfed by the enormity of what it would mean to be the group that ended Newcastle’s long wait for silverware.
“As a city it is hard, we hype it up so much,” reflected Dan Burn a few weeks ago.
Newcastle looked every inch like a team that had learned that lesson last night, executing a ruthlessly efficient game plan that took Arsenal by surprise. Two seasons ago at the Emirates they fought, bit and scratched their way to a 0-0 draw which got under Mikel Arteta’s skin.
Alexander Isak – who feels inevitable at the moment – led from the front and now appears to have added aura to his impressive arsenal. When defenders as good as William Saliba are backing off, petrified by what you can do you know you are in a rich vein of form.
Newcastle fans will already be booking up hotels (Photo: PA)If they complete the job you can expect delirium at full-time then. When they beat Southampton at the same stage two years ago Newcastle fans crashed LNER’s website booking trains to get to London for the weekend.
Over the last few decades we’ve heard a lot of managers and players talk about ending Newcastle’s trophy drought. Some of the best that have ever played or managed in Europe – think Ruud Gullit, Sir Bobby Robson and Alan Shearer – have attempted it and failed and the longer it has gone on, the more difficult the task has become.
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Read MoreIt will take a special group to snap the cycle but with each passing week this squad is starting to resemble that. Isak is their north star, the best forward in Europe with potential to improve.
Mix that in with the team’s chemistry – expertly curated by “player’s manager” Howe – and it feels like you have the ingredients for doing something historic.
Excitement is building on Tyneside – just don’t expect it to engulf the players until they have done the job.
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