Arsenal are not yet out of the Premier League title race, but prioritizing cup competitions could help Mikel Arteta in the second half of 2024/25.
The Spaniard’s tunnel vision for the league has hampered the Gunners in the cups before, but Liverpool’s superiority at the top means Arsenal will likely have to look elsewhere to win silverware in the fifth year of Arteta’s project.
They are one of four teams left in the Carabao Cup after Gabriel Jesus scored his first hat-trick for the club in the quarter-finals. That victory over Crystal Palace inspired a three-game winning streak, but Arsenal go into Tuesday’s first leg with Newcastle on the back foot 1-1 draw with Brighton.
The Gunners have been hit hard by illness and injury over the past month, with Arteta forced to constantly shuffle his pack. Here’s how they could line up against the Magpies.
GK: David Raya – Raya made his Carabao Cup debut for the Gunners in the quarter-finals, conceding two goals. With reserve Neto tied in the cup, the Spaniard is a safe bet to start again.
RB: Jurrien Timber – The tree is suspended due to extraction in Brightonbut he is eligible to return on Tuesday. Considering his workload in the past month, that break will certainly come in handy for the Dutchman.
CB: William Saliba – This is a great game for Arsenal and there is no reason to rest Saliba. The Gunners struggled against Palace in the last 16 before the Frenchman entered the fray in the second half.
CB: Gabriel – Jakub Kiwior is waiting in the wings, but Arteta could favor this match over Sunday’s FA Cup tie with Manchester United. Gabriel will continue alongside Saliba midweek.
LB: Myles Lewis-Skelly – Riccardo Calafiori impressed at the weekend, but Lewis-Skelly deserves credit for his return to the XI. Given that the Italian played the full 90 on Saturday, Arteta could rotate him.
CM: Thomas Partey – Partey was excellent at the base of midfield on New Year’s Day against Brentford, but Timber’s suspension forced him into the backline at Brighton. With the Dutchman back, Partey is ready to return to his natural habitat.
CM: Declan Rice – This is a game for Rice and Partey. Newcastle’s midfield is purring at the moment, with their raw physicality capable of overpowering most engine rooms they face. Rice will help Arsenal fight fire with fire.
CM: Martin Odegaard – Physicality is needed in the middle of the park against this Newcastle side, but Arsenal also require an artist to break down the ever-improving Magpies backline. Odegaard was hampered by illness during the weekend.
RW: Gabriel Martinelli – Ethan Nwaneri joins Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling on the flanks, so we should see Arteta return to Martinelli on the right.
ST: Gabriel Jesus – Kai Havertz has missed Arsenal’s previous two games due to illness, and while he could return on Tuesday, the German is likely to be cleared. Jesus was the hero last time out in this competition and is ready to earn another start.
LW: Leandro Trossard – Martinelli failed to get anything out of Tino Livrament the last time these two sides met, and it looks like the experienced Trossard will get the chance to outwit the impressive young full-back in Tuesday’s first leg.
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