Arsenal and Newcastle United are gearing up for their Carabao Cup semi-final clash, set to take place at the Emirates Stadium this evening. Both teams are just two matches away from making it to the prestigious final at Wembley Stadium, where they would face the winner of the other semi-final between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.
Kick-off for tonight's match is at 8 pm GMT, and the game will be broadcast live on ITV and Sky Sports for UK viewers, with U.S. coverage available on Paramount+. This match holds significant importance, as Arsenal aims to secure much-needed silverware for their supporters, who have witnessed limited success since the club's move to the Emirates Stadium back in 2006.
Arsenal enters this semi-final following a recent 1-1 draw with Brighton, which saw Ethan Nwaneri open the scoring, only for João Pedro to equalize from the penalty spot. This result extended Arsenal's unbeaten streak to 13 matches, yet they remain six points behind league leaders Liverpool, who have played one fewer match. This matchup also brings pressure, as Mikel Arteta's side aims to continue their strong form as they navigate challenges posed by injuries to key players.
Among the players missing for Arsenal are Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling, both sidelined due to knee injuries. Nwaneri's injury has raised concerns about his availability for the foreseeable future. Despite these setbacks, Gabriel Jesus is expected to lead the charge, having scored three goals against Crystal Palace last round. Meanwhile, Jurrien Timber returns from suspension, providing some much-needed depth at the back.
Newcastle United, on the other hand, is coming off the back of positive momentum after defeating rivals Tottenham 2-1 over the weekend. Under the guidance of manager Eddie Howe, the Magpies are determined to secure their first major trophy since 1955. The team is facing challenges of their own, with key players Fabian Schär and Bruno Guimarães out due to suspension, and several others including Callum Wilson and Nick Pope nursing injuries. Still, the likes of Alexander Isak, who is currently on a scoring streak, provide hope for the traveling fans.
Howe's squad is well aware of their poor record at the Emirates—last winning there over a decade ago—but the team's current form suggests they could upset the odds. With players like Anthony Gordon and Sven Botman back on the pitch, Newcastle hopes to exploit Arsenal's injury woes and feature strongly as they aim for first-leg dominance.
Meanwhile, fans are also eagerly anticipating the other semi-final match taking place tomorrow night, where Tottenham Hotspur will host Liverpool at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Spurs have struggled recently, having gone winless in their last eight matches across all competitions, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty around the club.
Tottenham's head coach, Ange Postecoglou, is facing challenges with player absences. While Rodrigo Bentancur returns to the squad following suspension, Tottenham will have to navigate the match without suspended players Pape Sarr and James Maddison. The Spurs have had to rely on younger players amid their injury crisis, with goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky potentially making his debut after joining from Slavia Prague.
Postecoglou has described the upcoming fixture as both exciting and challenging, pointing to Liverpool's consistent quality and form. They are currently leading both the Premier League and Champions League and feature many of their top players fit for the tournament. Questions linger about whether Dominik Szoboszlai will be back from illness and if Joe Gomez will miss out due to injury.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has been taking advantage of his team’s consistency and is expected to field a strong line-up, emphasizing the importance of maintaining momentum in cup competitions. With past success against Tottenham—including a stunning 6-3 victory at their home ground recently—the Reds look to take control early.
Both semi-finals promise high-intensity matches, with each club presenting its strategic approach and battling for the first-leg advantage. For Arsenal and Newcastle, the goal is clear: come away with not just pride, but also significant footing for the return leg at St James’ Park. For Tottenham and Liverpool, the stakes are similarly high as they navigate their own narratives of injury struggles and triumphant aspirations.
Fans across England anticipate what is sure to be another thrilling chapter in the Carabao Cup, as these teams fight for not only glory but also the chance to make history.