Arsenal vs Newcastle United – Match Preview and Team News

In partnership with

The Football Faithful

·7. Januar 2025

Arsenal vs Newcastle United – Match Preview and Team News

Arsenal entertain Newcastle United this evening in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.

Mikel Arteta’s side came from behind to beat Crystal Palace 3-2 at the Emirates Stadium in the quarter-finals. But his side’s attacking options have taken another blow as Ethan Nwaneri has been ruled out with a muscular injury.

OneFootball Videos

The 17-year-old is likely to miss a few weeks of action after picking up the problem against Brighton on the weekend. The teenager joins the likes of Bukayo Saka, Raheem Sterling and Ben White on the unavailable list.

Jurrien Timber returns following suspension while Kai Havertz will be assessed after the German missed the trip to the South Coast through illness. Bournemouth loanee goalkeeper Neto is cup-tied.

Eddie Howe and his players will be hoping to get one step closer to ending Newcastle’s 70-year wait for major silverware with a victory in North London. The Magpies comfortably eased past Brentford at St James’ Park in the last round with a 3-1 triumph a few weeks ago.

However, instrumental figures Fabian Schar and Bruno Guimaraes are both suspended for tonight’s fixture after they were booked against the Bees. Sven Botman’s fitness will monitored after the Dutchman made his first start in 10 months on the weekend. Callum Wilson, Nick Pope and Emil Krafth are all still unavailable.

Read – Arsenal predicted lineup ahead of League Cup clash with Newcastle

Arsenal vs Newcastle United – Match Preview and Team News

Form

Arsenal: WWWWD

Arsenal extended their unbeaten run to 13 matches on Saturday with a 1-1 stalemate away to Brighton.

Teenage prodigy Ethan Nwaneri recorded his first Premier League goal with a solo effort in the first period. However, the Gunners rested on their laurels and Joao Pedro equalised from the spot on the hour mark.

They remain second in the Premier League table and six points behind leaders Liverpool after the Reds also drew on the weekend, at home to Manchester United.

Despite being the most successful club in FA Cup history, the North London club have only lifted the EFL Cup on two occasions. Arsenal have not won the competition since 1993, but Arteta will sense an opportunity to build upon his success at the club.

Read – Howe says cup win can convince Newcastle stars to stay

Newcastle: WWWWW

Newcastle’s rampant form continued on the weekend as they defeated Spurs 2-1 away from home. Their afternoon started poorly as they conceded within two minutes, with Dominic Solanke nodding past Martin Dubravka.

But their response was emphatic. Anthony Gordon restored parity just two minutes later before Alexander Isak completed the comeback just before the break. The Magpies withstood sustained pressure from Spurs in the second half to earn their sixth successive win in all competitions.

Isak has now netted in seven successive Premier League games and the Swede will be attempting to carry that momentum into this competition.

Read – Arsenal vs Newcastle combined XI ahead of Carabao Cup semi-final

Last Meeting

Newcastle 1-0 Arsenal, Premier League, 2nd November 2024

Alexander Isak’s first-half strike proved decisive as Newcastle edged out Arsenal back in November.

It took just 12 minutes for the hosts to take the lead on Tyneside. Anthony Gordon whipped a delightful first-time cross onto the head of the Sweden striker, who rose beautifully to find the top corner.

It was a cagey affair as both sides reduced each other to very little space to create any clear-cut chances. Arsenal almost equalised from a corner, but Mikel Merino’s close-range effort was bravely blocked by Lewis Hall.

The two biggest chances of the second period fell to Declan Rice, but the midfielder couldn’t convert either opportunity. The first saw the Englishman race into the box before stroking a low effort that took a slight deflection before narrowly going wide.

The second came after Bukayo Saka floated a dangerous cross to the back post, but Rice miscued his header and couldn’t trouble Nick Pope. Newcastle protected their advantage to collect three points from the Gunners.

Read – Newcastle predicted lineup and team news vs Arsenal

Predicted Lineups

Possible Arsenal XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Merino, Rice; Trossard, Odegaard, Martinelli, Jesus.

Possible Newcastle XI: Dubravka, Trippier, Kelly, Burn, Hall; Joelinton, Tonali, Willock; Barnes, Isak, Gordon.

Who is the referee?

Craig Pawson will be the match official. He will be assisted by Ian Hussin and Wade Smith while Tony Harrington will be the fourth official. The VAR will be John Brooks and he will be assisted by Lee Betts.