Full time: Arsenal 2 Newcastle 0

Sam said:

"I’m disappointed that we have lost, but more disappointed that we were forced to play this game in the first place so soon after Sunday. What we got in the end was a fatigued set of players who couldn’t run anymore.

"As good as Arsenal were on the night, we were difficult to break down. In the end we were victims of the situation we were put in and they finally capitalised on that. Our legs ran out and the players fatigued badly in the last 10 minutes. I couldn’t have asked for any more from them in terms of work-rate – they just couldn’t give any more in the end.

"We’re out of the competition and that’s a telling factor. Five or six of my players had to play a full 90 minutes after playing 90 minutes on Sunday. Some of Arsenal’s players didn’t even play on the Saturday.

"We tried to get the game changed but ran into a brick wall. I don’t know why we couldn’t play on the Wednesday night the same as Tottenham. I believe the police said we couldn’t. That wouldn’t have happened in the North-West and I believe they have more police down here.

"We can’t control the timing of the game, but the other thing we are disappointed with is that Oba is not sitting here with the match ball. Those three gilt-edged chances were the reason we didn’t take it into at least extra time. 

"Even though we didn’t pass the ball very well, I thought we contained them. We knew Arsenal would pass the ball about well, they’ve got all the experience now and they’re a slick team.

"For Arsenal, this competition is fourth on their list, but for us it’s a high priority. Drawing Arsenal away is hard enough anyway, but to do so under these circumstances has contributed to our defeat. Not all of it – we contributed ourselves with the chances we missed – but it was definitely a factor.”

Arsene Wenger commented:

"I have strength in depth, if you look at the players who did not play tonight and you add the two teams. We did not play against an average team, we played against Newcastle. 

"We have shown technical maturity and looked strong in every department. With this team we can have a chance against anybody.

"The game was of the same level we played recently with the players who did not feature tonight, and with a style of play and continuity. We have wave after wave of generations of young players. We work with them and when they come in, they show top quality. 

"We have a group of good quality, very young players. All of them can play on a regular basis in the first team.

"I thought it was a very good game of very good pace. In the first half Newcastle defended very high and slowly we took over, and in the second half it was all us. Many times we should have scored a goal and didn't, but we were good and intelligent - and I like that. We didn't make a rushing mistake, going all forward and getting caught on the counter-attack.

"I must say the game was of the same level that we have played recently, with the players who did not play tonight. You see that the style of play - there is a continuity there and we have all kinds of good players in every position.

"It's not a coincidence that I play Song at centre-back because he's got all the ingredients to play in there, Fabianski will be a great keeper and Diarra for his first game has done well. I think Bendtner tonight was top quality as well - he's nineteen years of age! His presence in the game was great. We have a small group but of very good quality, and very young.

"All of them, for me all of them can play on a regular basis in the first team. You see a player like Armand Traore, he's 18! Just at left-back, the power, going forward, the crosses.

"Diarra is ready to play at that level without any problem. We got him and I must say for much less than was announced in the papers. Just two-million."

"It's just the beginning of the season, we have to show that we are consistent through the whole season at that level. I feel what is the big strength at the moment in my squad is a big togetherness, good camaraderie, everybody is on the same wavelength. 

"With a young team it's not easy to keep that."