Arsenal is set to host Newcastle United tonight at the Emirates Stadium for the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final, with both teams eager to claim glory and secure their place at Wembley. The Gunners, under the managerial leadership of Mikel Arteta, are determined to add silverware to their trophy cabinet, having won only the FA Cup during his tenure. Despite the recent improvement of the squad, the match holds significant importance as they strive for more than just league success.
Arsenal reached this stage of the EFL Cup by overcoming formidable opponents such as Crystal Palace, whom they defeated 3-2, alongside wins against Bolton and Preston. Newcastle, meanwhile, sailed through their quarter-final match against Brentford with ease, winning 3-1. Both sides came off recent Premier League games, with Arsenal drawing 1-1 against Brighton, where they faced some controversy, and Newcastle securing a nail-biting 2-1 victory against Tottenham.
Kicking off at 8pm GMT, the atmosphere is expected to be electric as Arsenal aims to maintain their unbeaten home record this season, boasting 11 wins and three draws from 14 matches at the Emirates. Fans will, of course, be anticipating strong performances from their key players, particularly after witnessing Gabriel Jesus’s exceptional form.
Team News
Unfortunately for Arsenal, injuries to notable players disrupt their lineup, as Bukayo Saka, Ben White, and Takehiro Tomiyasu will miss the game. Jurrien Timber is back after serving his suspension, providing some relief for Arteta, but the news of Ethan Nwaneri’s injury after the Brighton game adds to his woes. Arteta expressed disappointment for the young forward, who has impressed greatly.
Newcastle also faces challenges with significant player absences due to injuries and suspensions. Key players Fabio Schar and Bruno Guimaraes will be sidelined, putting pressure on their already thin squad. Manager Eddie Howe has options, yet he will depend heavily on the likes of Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon, the latter coming off his own issues with injury from the previous match.
Predictions and Odds
Arsenal finds themselves second on the Premier League table, six points behind leaders Liverpool, and will likely be viewed as favorites to win tonight. The team’s record at the Emirates speaks for itself, as they have not lost to Newcastle at home since 2010. Current betting odds have Arsenal favored at 7/10, with Newcastle at 18/5 and draws at 3/1, reflecting the tight nature of cup competitions.
For those teetering on predictions, various analyses hint at the possibility of under 2.5 goals, citing caution from both sides, particularly with key players missing on both squads. It should be noted, though, both teams have recently demonstrated offensive capabilities, with Newcastle scoring consistently on the road.
How to Watch
With everything at stake, Arteta remains confident about the match's outcome and seeks to encourage his squad to capitalize on the home advantage. “We’re very excited to play the game in front of our crowd. A semi-final, an opportunity to earn the right to be in the final,” he stated during the pre-match press conference. Meanwhile, Howe emphasized resilience and adaptability during this demanding period for the Magpies, maintaining focus on the task at hand.
Historically, Arsenal has had the upper hand, winning 85 of the 194 encounters all-time, and will look to extend this dominance when they meet Newcastle tonight. Whatever the result, the tie isn’t over, and the second leg promises to be just as thrilling, set for February at St James' Park.
Fans worldwide are eagerly awaiting the final whistle to see who will take the advantage heading to the next leg. Will Arsenal continue their exceptional home form? Or will Newcastle surprise and take the initiative toward reaching Wembley? Only time will tell.