Mikel Arteta immediately decides the player he wants Arsenal to sign after Carabao Cup defeat to Newcastle

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has already picked out who he wants to sign after his side's defeat against Newcastle United.

The Gunners welcomed Eddie Howe's men to the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night for the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final tie.

Newcastle showed their qualities throughout the night as goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon secured a 2-0 win for the visitors.

The second leg will take place at St. James' Park on February 5.

Without talisman Bukayo Saka and back up Ethan Nwaneri, Arsenal failed to dominate the match like we have been used to seeing in recent months.

Kai Havertz had arguably the biggest chance to score but failed to net with a header from close range.

Less than 24 hours after the result, it has been claimed that Arsenal have picked out a transfer target ahead of the summer window.

Mikel Arteta identifies target for the summer transfer window

As reported by Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg, Arsenal are keen on Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo.

He wrote on social media: "Understand that Bryan #Mbeumo is on #Arsenal’s shortlist for a potential summer transfer. The Gunners are looking to strengthen their wing position.

"#Brentford’s star player is under contract until 2026, with 13 goals and 3 assists in the current Premier League season."

So far in the 24/25 campaign, 25-year-old Mbeumo has recorded 13 goals and four assists in 23 matches across all competitions for Thomas Frank's team.

Aside from Arsenal, Mbeumo has previously been linked with the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United.

Bryan Mbeumo has been linked with a move to Arsenal. Image: Getty

Speaking after the disappointment against Newcastle, Gunners boss Arteta said: "It’s the result. If you look at what both teams produced and the domination of the game, it’s not a result that reflects the story of the game.

"But the reality is that they were super efficient with the chances that they had and we weren’t, and at this level in these kind of scenarios, you need to impose yourself and win the game."

He added: "It’s just half time and when I see the team playing and how we dealt with a lot of situations and playing against a very good team, I must say, I have full belief that we can go up there and do it."

Arsenal will be back in action this weekend when they take on Manchester United in the FA Cup.