Arsenal vs Newcastle: Preview, Predictions and Lineups

The Carabao Cup semi-finals begin on Tuesday night when Arsenal welcome Newcastle United to the Emirates.

These two-sided affairs will decide who will compete for glory at Wembley in March, with the winner facing either Tottenham Hotspur or Liverpool under the famous arch.

Arsenal extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to 13 games at the weekend but were disappointed to only draw at Brighton. They remain in the race for the Premier League title, although Mikel Arteta might be better served by making cup competitions a priority in the second half of the season.

The Gunners have progressed in the last four competitions thanks to Gabriel Jesus’ maiden Arsenal hat-trick in a 3-2 win over Crystal Palace.

Newcastle also went down Premier League opponent to enter the semi-finals, and the Magpies benefited from Thomas Frank rotating his squad heavily on Tyneside. Eddie Howe’s side won 3-1 at home to Brentford and have continued to win ever since.

Five successive Premier League wins see Newcastle up to fifth in the table and once again looking like a side capable of messing with the aristocracy.

Here 90 minutes tuesday guide Carabao Cup the first game of the semi-finals.

Arsenal vs Newcastle H2H results (last five matches)

Current form (all competitions)

The Arsenal team was struck by an illness last week, and Kai Havertz missed the previous two away games against Topnik because of it. Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and Declan Rice are also reportedly affected.

Arteta will be hoping his players are in better shape on Tuesday given Newcastle’s physicality.

In terms of injuries, Ethan Nwaneri has been out for a few weeks after suffering a muscle problem Brighton. The teenager joins Bukayo Saka, Raheem Sterling, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu in the treatment room.

Jurrien Timber is eligible to return from suspension.

Predicted line-up of Arsenal against Newcastle (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Partey, Rice, Odegaard; Martinelli, Jesus, Trossard.

Howe would have been pleased with what he saw from Sven Botman on Saturday as the Dutchman returned for the second time from a long-term knee injury. The centre-back could be forced into another start in quick succession with Fabian Schar still suspended.

There could be a reshuffle in the midfield given the minutes Howe’s starters have received in recent weeks. Bruno Guimaraes is suspended, so former gunner Joe Willock could join the team. Harvey Barnes could also be rotated into the first line, but Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon should keep their spots.

The visitors are still without Callum Wilson, Jamaal Lascelles and Emil Krafth. Nick Pope is a doubt.

Predicted line-up of Newcastle vs Arsenal (4-3-3): Dubravka; Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall; Tonali, Joelinton, Willock; Gordon, Isaac, Barnes.

This looks like a big game for Arsenal, who will have to take with them to St. James’ Park in February. Howe, by contrast, will be content with a draw and we’ve seen the Newcastle boss confound his Spanish counterpart on several occasions since taking the Magpies job.

Arsenal have failed to score in three of their previous five meetings against Newcastle.

Tuesday’s visitors are back to their worst and most powerful form, but Howe will need to rotate for a long-term win in midweek that should open the door for the hosts.

They will have to fight their way through it, but Arsenal’s desperation could get the better of them at home. Whether the advantage of one goal will be enough is another story.

Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Newcastle

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