The Carabao Cup semi-finals kick off on Tuesday night as Arsenal host Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium for the first leg of their exciting two-legged clash.
This tie will determine who advances to Wembley for the final in March, where they will face either Tottenham Hotspur or Liverpool.
Arsenal’s Unbeaten Run and Cup Focus
Arsenal extended their unbeaten streak in all competitions to 13 games following a 1-1 draw against Brighton over the weekend. While they are still in the Premier League title race, manager Mikel Arteta may look to prioritize cup competitions as the season progresses. The Gunners reached the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup following a dramatic 3-2 win over Crystal Palace, where Gabriel Jesus netted a hat-trick.
Newcastle’s Strong Form and Semi-Final Berth
Newcastle also secured their place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals by defeating Premier League opposition, with a 3-1 win over Brentford. Eddie Howe’s side has been in excellent form, winning five consecutive Premier League matches to climb to fifth in the table. Newcastle’s recent performances suggest they could be a formidable opponent in this cup tie.
Kick-Off Details
- Kick-off Time: 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
- Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
- Referee: Craig Pawson
- VAR: John Brooks
Head-to-Head: Arsenal vs Newcastle
In their last five meetings, Arsenal and Newcastle have each secured two wins, with one draw.
- Last Meeting: Newcastle 1-0 Arsenal (2 November 2024) – Premier League
Current Form (All Competitions)
- Arsenal: 1-1 draw vs Brighton, 1-0 win vs Ipswich, 1-5 win vs Crystal Palace, 3-2 win vs Crystal Palace
- Newcastle: 1-2 win vs Tottenham, 2-0 win vs Manchester United, 3-0 win vs Aston Villa, 3-1 win vs Brentford
Arsenal Team News
Arsenal will be missing several key players due to illness and injury. Kai Havertz has missed the last two matches due to illness, while Martin Ødegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, and Declan Rice were also reportedly affected. Ethan Nwaneri, who sustained a muscle injury at Brighton, will be out for several weeks. Bukayo Saka, Raheem Sterling, Ben White, and Takehiro Tomiyasu are also sidelined. On a positive note, Jurrien Timber returns from suspension.
Arsenal Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Partey, Rice, Ødegaard; Martinelli, Jesus, Trossard.
Newcastle Team News
Newcastle will be without key players such as Callum Wilson, Jamaal Lascelles, and Emil Krafth. However, Sven Botman returned from a long-term injury against Tottenham and may feature again. Bruno Guimarães is suspended, meaning Joe Willock could slot into midfield. The Magpies are also uncertain about goalkeeper Nick Pope’s fitness.
Newcastle Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Dubravka; Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall; Tonali, Joelinton, Willock; Gordon, Isak, Barnes.
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