2024-25 Carabao Cup Semi-Finals: First Leg – Arsenal vs Newcastle

Arsenal meet Newcastle in the first leg of the opening semi-final in 2024-25 Carabao Cup.

Victory will provide either Arsenal or Newcastle an early advantage ahead of the return leg on Tyneside on 5 February.

 

Team News

Ethan Nwaneri is ruled out for Arsenal with a muscle injury suffered in their 1-1 draw at Brighton.

Jurrien Timber is available following his one-match ban, whilst Kai Havertz (illness) is expected to be in contention.

Bukayo Saka (hamstring), Raheem Sterling, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ben White (all knee) remain absent.

Newcastle could be without Anthony Gordon after he picked up a nose injury in their 2-1 league win at Tottenham.

Fabian Schar is back from his one-match ban which saw him miss Saturday’s win at Tottenham, but Bruno Guimaraes is suspended following his second booking in this competition in their Quarter-Final win over Brentford.

Emil Krafth (shoulder), Callum Wilson (hamstring), Nick Pope and Jamaal Lascelles (both knee) remain absent.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Arsenal host Newcastle at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday 7 January at 8pm GMT, live on ITV1 and Sky Sports in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Arsenal have won all four previous meetings against Newcastle in this competition (W4).
• Newcastle have lost all three previous away ties to Arsenal in this competition (L3).
• Arsenal scored 12 goals without conceding in their four previous meetings against Newcastle in this competition.
• Gabriel Jesus has scored four of Arsenal’s six goals in their last two Carabao Cup matches.
• Excluding penalty shootouts, Newcastle are unbeaten in their last five Carabao Cup matches (W3, D2).

 

Prediction

Although they have the psychological advantage coming into this game given their record against Newcastle in this competition plus generally at home over the past decade, Arsenal weren’t at their best away to Brighton with wasteful finishing touches so I expect a more polished display here.

Newcastle though are on a roll at present with no defeats in six across all competitions during which they kept four clean sheets, but Bruno Guimaraes will be a loss in their midfield although Joe Willock, Lewis Miley or Sean Longstaff are solid alternatives for Eddie Howe to choose from.

My instinct is a home win but if Newcastle play with the same confidence as seen lately and don’t start as sloppily as they did at Tottenham, I can see them nicking a draw to set up an exciting second leg.

Prediction: Arsenal 1-1 Newcastle

Result: Arsenal 0-2 Newcastle