Arsenal will travel to St James’ Park for the second leg of their EFL Cup semi-final against Newcastle United at 8:00pm GMT on Wednesday, with the Magpies holding a two-goal advantage from the first leg.
A spot in the 64th EFL Cup final is open, with the winner set to face either Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Stadium on March 16.
Newcastle head into this clash with courage after a club-record nine-match winning campaign across all competitions. However, they have suffered two defeats in their last three Premier League matches, including a 2-1 home loss to Fulham last weekend.
Despite taking the lead through Jacob Murphy, Eddie Howe’s side faltered in the second half as Fulham staged a comeback to nail Newcastle to back-to-back home defeats for the first time in a year. Howe expressed his frustration, stating that his team were “nowhere near” their best and was “very disappointing overall” with the performance.
Newcastle looks forward to ending their 70-year trophy drought. Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon were both on target in last month’s 2-0 first-leg victory at the Emirates, and Howe’s side are also looking forward to making it four wins in five clashes with Arteta’s side.
On the other hand, Arsenal have bounced back strongly since losing to Newcastle in the first leg. After a penalty defeat to Manchester United in the FA Cup, the Gunners have won five and drawn one of their last six matches, including four consecutive victories by an aggregate score of 11-2.
Arteta’s side stood impressive in their 5-1 win over Manchester City on Sunday, a result that boosted their title hopes, although Arteta has urged his players not to get too carried away with their “very special” triumph, as Arsenal still sits six points behind Liverpool on the Premier League table.
Arsenal’s focus now shifts to the EFL Cup, a competition that has been won twice in all of Arsenal’s history, with their most recent victory coming in 1993. To reach next month’s final, Arsenal must win by at least three goals, a feat they haven’t achieved since a 4-0 victory over Newcastle in the EFL Cup fourth round back in October 2010.
With a strong away record, including six wins in their last eight away matches, Arsenal will be hoping to put up a dramatic comeback.
Team News and Injuries
Newcastle will be without Harvey Barnes due to a muscle injury and Jamaal Lascelles due to an issue of ACL, while Callum Wilson has an outside chance of making the squad after over eight weeks out with a hamstring injury. Nick Pope, who has returned from a knee injury, could replace Martin Dubravka in goal, while Sven Botman may return to the defense. Joe Willock is also pushing for a starting spot.
Arsenal is still missing Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, and Takehiro Tomiyasu, but Ben White is closing in on a return from a long-term knee injury, although this match may come too soon for him. David Raya will likely remain in goal after starting in the win over Manchester City, while Myles Lewis-Skelly, who impressed last weekend, will hope to keep his place in the lineup. Ethan Nwaneri, who has scored three EFL Cup goals this season, will also be looking forward to starting.
(SportsMole)
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