Simon Stone
BBC Sport's chief football news reporter

Seven prominent Manchester City fans groups have jointly sent an open letter to the club complaining about ticket price rises and the prospect of local fans being frozen out.

The letter was sent to chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak, the fans' groups have pointed out that with the exception of COVID-19 affected year, City has made a profit 'each season since 2014-15'.

"The Club are quick to emphasise their connection to Manchester," the letter explains.

"In our most recent annual report, chief executive Ferran Soriano spoke to his love for the City of Manchester.

"We are asking that we do not lose that link. After all, what is this club without Manchester? Even our nickname – the Citizens – is in reference to our Mancunian roots.

"By making it practically impossible to obtain a standard season ticket, ticketing policy decision makers at Manchester City are severing the generational link between fans and their club."

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes the defeat to Newcastle United in the EFL Cup semi-final is going to be a difficult one to get over.

But the Spaniard has urged his side to "recharge and go again", with plenty still to play for in the remainder of the campaign.

They have time to regroup now, with their next fixture not until 15 February.

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak may not have got on the scoresheet yesterday but that's not to say his performance didn't warrant it.

Dominating Arsenal defensive duo Gabriel and William Saliba from minute one, Isak did find the back of the net with a lethal finish after just four minutes only to be denied following a lengthy VAR check. Just 15 minutes later, though, he rattled the crossbar and the ball ricocheted kindly to the feet of Jacob Murphy to slot home.

Despite not adding to his 2024-25 stat tally on Wednesday, his numbers still make for seriously impressive reading.

The 25-year-old has notched 19 goals in 27 appearances in all competitions so far for the Magpies, while also chipping in with five assists.

He's scored 40.5% of Newcastle's total goals in the Premier League this season and sits third in the race for the golden boot behind only Mohamed Salah (21) and Erling Haaland (19).

Chris Waddle
Former Newcastle & England winger on the Football Daily podcast

I think neutrals will hope Newcastle lift the trophy because everybody respects Newcastle, the support is massive. They're a team who should be lifting trophies regularly, like Arsenal, like Liverpool do, like Man City do. They should be lifting trophies and they haven't they've been starved of them up here and they're not going to get a better chance. They're full of confidence at the minute, everybody's fit.

We've seen Newcastle over the last two seasons, on the day, they can beat anybody and they've proved that. Whoever they play, they know they could beat them.

Thanks for all your messages so far this morning - please do keep them coming in!

We'll shortly be turning our attention to tonight's Carabao Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Tottenham, before a flurry of FA Cup manager news conferences begin.

So, let us know who you expect Newcastle to be lining up against at Wembley on Sunday, 16 March.

Liverpool and Spurs fans, do let us know how you're feeling ahead of that one.

Reach us on #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply) - and please make sure you add your names on any texts.

Image source, Getty Images

Another Wembley trip for Newcastle United will be here before they know it.

The Magpies have just five fixtures between now and then with only four being in the Premier League, however, they couldn't look much tougher for Eddie Howe's side.

• Birmingham City (a) FA Cup
• Man City (a)
• Nottingham Forest (h)
• Liverpool (a)
• West Ham (h)
• EFL Cup final

Should Liverpool overcome Tottenham Hotspur and progress to the EFL Cup final this evening, Newcastle will travel to Anfield in the Premier League just two games before.

Olivier Bernard
Former Newcastle United defender on 5 Live Breakfast

Newcastle has the best supporters, the best crowd. They showed it last night.

I think everybody wants to see Newcastle in this final at Wembley and everybody wants to see Newcastle winning a trophy. It's been a long wait. I believe that the lads are ready to do well and to win it.

70% of the players were on the pitch [in their 2023 League Cup final loss to Manchester United], they will remember what happened. They missed [a chance] that day, because I don't think Manchester United were the better side.

The players can be disappointed with the final but there's another one coming up and I'm sure they will make it right with this one. I'm very confident, this year, it might happen.

After a couple of hours or so of polling, 73% of you believe Eddie Howe is underrated as a manager.

Any underappreciation for the Newcastle boss will surely vanish if he can end the club's long wait for a trophy.

Mike Jones: I don't understand the fans that say 'it's only the league Cup!' As a Liverpool fan last year's final against Chelsea is one of my favourite memories as a supporter and silverware should be celebrated no matter what competition.

Hear, hear, Mike.

Image source, Getty Images

Alexander Isak showed Arsenal exactly what they were missing from a true number nine standpoint yesterday evening.

Goal-threat aside, the tough time he gave defender William Saliba was one of the biggest talking points.

The France centre-back has rarely had such a difficult night in an Arsenal shirt. Often the dominant one whomever he comes up against, Saliba just couldn't get to grips with Isak at St James' Park.

Gary Neville said he had "never seen Saliba so ruffled" during his co-commentary on Sky Sports, while social media became a barrage of memes and GIFs surrounding the Frenchman's difficult night.

It's not often we see Gabriel and William Saliba in as much difficulty as they were last night trying to keep Alexander Isak quiet.

Alan Shearer tried to raise the topic when he checked in on fellow pundit Ian Wright following last night's match, but Wrighty hasn't taken him up on that offer just yet.

At least not publicly, anyway...

Image source, Alan Shearer

Ian Dennis
BBC Radio 5 Live senior football reporter

Since the last domestic trophy in 1955, Newcastle have got to five domestic finals and lost them all. They will use that hurt.

They didn't really show up against Manchester United two years ago, they will use that experience and whether it be against Liverpool or Tottenham, they will try to put this long wait to bed.

The League Cup pulling off the greatest unexpected comeback in football since...

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal's woes were added to last night when they suffered yet another injury issue to a forward player.

Gabriel Martinelli was forced off midway through the first-half with what looked to be a hamstring problem.

When asked about the extent of the injury after the game, manager Mikel Arteta said: "He felt something, I think it was his hamstring and he wasn't comfortable to continue.

"We will have to have an MRI scan on Thursday to see the extent of his injury."

Bukayo Saka remains on the sidelines with a hamstring injury of his own, while Gabriel Jesus will not play again this season due to an ACL injury.

No striker signed. Star winger Bukayo Saka out until next month and forward Gabriel Jesus ruled out for the season.

The last thing Arsenal really needed last night was to see another attacking player suffer a potential injury...

Mikel Arteta won the FA Cup just seven months after becoming Arsenal boss - beating Chelsea 2-1 in August 2020 at Wembley.

They have not won a trophy or reached a final since, losing three semi-finals - two in the EFL Cup and one in the Europa League.

"This Arsenal team need a trophy," former Manchester United captain Gary Neville said on Sky Sports.

"Alexander Isak on one side and Kai Havertz on the other – just imagine what the sides would be if they swapped shirts.

"It has shone a massive spotlight on the toothlessness of Arsenal's front players compared to Newcastle's."

Image source, Getty Images

As a neutral here, I must admit I have been hoping for a Newcastle v Tottenham final since the semi-final draw was made.

Two clubs with a combined 73-year wait for silverware going all-out for glory at Wembley? Sounds rather tasty to me.