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.

England recognition, initially at Under-21 level, is certain to follow but safeguarding rules mean that, unlike fellow breakthrough star Myles Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri still isn’t allowed to change in the dressing room on matchdays.

Arsenal can still make an important signing to boost Mikel Arteta's chances of success even though deadline day has passed.