Arsenal will host Newcastle United on Tuesday night for the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final, seeking to establish a strong advantage at the Emirates Stadium. Just days after experiencing frustration with a 1-1 draw against Brighton, the Gunners are gearing up for what they hope will lead them closer to silverware after five long years without major trophies.
With Mikel Arteta at the helm, Arsenal has been building consistency, evidenced by their remarkable 13-match unbeaten streak across competitions. Despite this, injuries and recent officiated decisions have plagued their campaign, leading to mixed results. The Gunners will need to rectify the unease from their last outing as they aim to seize control of the semi-final tie against the visiting Magpies.
Newcastle United arrives at the Emirates buzzing with confidence. The team, led by Eddie Howe, has been on fire lately, racking up five consecutive wins. Key players like Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon are shining, with Isak netting goals consistently and making him one of the most dangerous forwards to face. With Bruno Guimarães and Fabian Schär absent due to suspension, Newcastle will face challenges; alternatives will need to step up to maintain their winning streak.
Historically, Arsenal has had the upper hand at home against Newcastle, boasting 13 matches unbeaten, winning 12 of those. This record, alongside their strong overall performance against the Magpies, adds to the pressure for both teams as they seek to take the upper hand heading to the return leg.
The stakes are particularly high because this competition means more than just bragging rights. For Arsenal, it’s about erasing the memories of years without major trophies; for Newcastle, it’s about breaking their own lengthy dry spell, having not won any domestic cup since 1955. Both teams are desperate to secure their place at Wembley for the final on March 16.
After Arsenal's quarter-final success against Crystal Palace, where Gabriel Jesus emerged as the hero with his hat-trick, Arteta’s side is eager to build on this performance. Midfielders Martin Ødegaard and Declan Rice must command the field and control the game's tempo, especially with less attacking depth due to injuries to fixtures like Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri.
Newcastle's recent form includes their formidable attacking prowess, having scored 18 goals and demonstrated defensive stability. The absence of key figures like Guimarães and Schär will challenge Howe to find the right balance between defensive organization and attacking threat.
For Arsenal, this is more than just another match; it’s about boosting confidence as they navigate the second half of the season. Their backline must remain rigid against the relentless attacks anticipated from Newcastle, particularly with Alexander Isak—who has scored consistently—poised to break through.
With kickoff set for 8:00 PM GMT, the atmosphere at the Emirates promises to be electric. Supporters eager to witness the drama live can catch the game on Sky Sports and ITV1, with streaming available via ITVX and Sky Go.
Arsenal's need for home advantage cannot be overstated. A strong showing can grant them the psychological edge heading to the return leg at St. James’ Park. Both teams are vying for one of the most coveted trophies, and how each player performs could very well determine who progresses to the final. Given Arsenal's recent struggles and Newcastle's surging momentum, this contest is set up to be nothing short of thrilling.