Arsenal FC is set to take on Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium on January 7, 2025, for the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final, with both teams eyeing the prestigious trophy, marking Arsenal's chance to secure their first League Cup title since 1993.
Managed by Mikel Arteta, Arsenal currently sits second in the Premier League and arrives at this encounter with aspirations of adding another title to their illustrious history. Their campaign through the EFL Cup has been marked by strong performances, including wins against Bolton and Preston, and most recently, delivering a standout quarter-final victory over Crystal Palace, where Gabriel Jesus scored a hat-trick.
Arteta conveyed his optimism about the upcoming match, stating, “We’re very excited to play the game in front of our crowd. A semi-final is… an opportunity to earn the right to be in a final,” emphasizing the need for strong support from the fans. He reflected on the incredible atmosphere at the Emirates, believing it can help propel the team to victory against formidable opponents. Arteta hopes to extend his 13-game unbeaten streak across all competitions with a win tonight.
Newcastle United, under Eddie Howe, arrives at this match with formidable momentum of their own. Currently sitting fifth in the league, the Magpies boast six consecutive victories, including recent triumphs over Chelsea and Brentford. Newcastle's cup run commenced with solid displays, also having defeated AFC Wimbledon to reach this semi-final stage.
Both teams find themselves dealing with injury issues and illness affecting key players. Arsenal will be without Ben White and Bukayo Saka, who are sidelined, along with Ethan Nwaneri suffering from illness. Newcastle will miss the presence of Bruno Guimaraes and Fabian Schar due to suspension, along with injuries affecting Nick Pope and others, yet they remain confident of their depth.
The match is anticipated to be intense, with both teams reducing their potential playing styles due to absentees, but powerhouse players like Arsenal's latest addition, Riccardo Calafiori, who has performed commendably since joining, and Newcastle's midfield mastermind Sandro Tonali are expected to play key roles. Tonali's vision and passing ability will be pivotal for Newcastle to control the tempo and create scoring opportunities.
A look at the historical performance between these two clubs shows Arsenal has had notable success against the Magpies, holding approximately 44% win accuracy overall, but the recent form of Newcastle suggests this match may not follow the conventional script. Their last meeting ended with Newcastle besting Arsenal 1-0, showcasing the Magpies' tactical discipline.
Predictions suggest this match could end with close scores as both teams are capable of high performance. Betfair suggests the odds favoring Newcastle could be up to +310, but the momentum and home advantage for Arsenal cannot be discounted.
Kick-off is scheduled for 8 PM GMT, with live coverage available on various platforms including Sky Sports and ITV. Football fans worldwide will be tuning in to see if the Gunners can take the first leg with their home advantage or if Newcastle will come away with the lead going back to St. James’ Park.
With the stakes exceptionally high, both teams are ready to put forth their finest performance, each with aspirations of lifting the League Cup trophy at Wembley later this season.