On the back of contrasting evenings in the EFL Cup, Newcastle United and Arsenal return to Premier League duty with a blockbuster battle at St James' Park on Saturday evening.
While the Magpies eased past holders Manchester United 3-0 on Wednesday evening, the Gunners' knockout run came to an end with a 3-1 fourth-round beating at the hands of West Ham United.
Miguel Almiron's finish, Lewis Hall's sumptuous volley and a crisp Joe Willock finish led to a familiar sense of doom and gloom around Old Trafford, as Eddie Howe's team set up a mouthwatering quarter-final outing versus Chelsea and brought an end to their two-game winless run following defeat to Borussia Dortmund and a 2-2 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Evidently feeling the effects of their recent Champions League exploits, Newcastle threw away a pair of slender leads - both of which came via Callum Wilson - to accept a point at Molineux, one which leaves the Magpies sixth in the table with 17 points after 10 matches.
Howe's team are currently rank outsiders when it comes to Champions League qualification, though, as Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa - who sit five points better off than the Magpies - are engaged in a captivating five-team tussle to dine at Europe's top table.
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