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Preview: Arsenal vs Newcastle United – stats, team news, line-ups

Arsenal welcome familiar foes Newcastle United to North London for Tuesday evening’s crunch EFL Cup semi-final clash at the Emirates Stadium.

Newcastle have already made light work of Arsenal’s fierce capital rivals Tottenham Hotspur, pipping Ange Postecoglou’s side to a 2-1 victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to strengthen their top-four credentials.

The rampant Magpies will fancy their chances of making lightning strike twice in North London when they storm the Emirates on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Arsenal will be keen to get back to winning ways after holding out for a 1-1 draw in their most recent outing against Brighton & Hove Albion.

There’s always plenty of drama when Arsenal and Newcastle lock horns, but Gooners who purchase their tickets from Seatsnet.com will hope to see their side extend their impressive unbeaten streak.

Match Preview

Arsenal’s set-piece prowess has been a hallmark of their season, but a bizarre heading incident in their own penalty area proved costly in their 1-1 draw against Brighton at the Amex Stadium.

The result further complicated the Gunners’ faltering Premier League title chase, but they’re still in the fight.

The game began promisingly for Arsenal as 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri etched his name into the club’s history books with a well-taken opener. However, the match took a dramatic turn when William Saliba was penalised for a contentious “headbutt” on Brighton’s Joao Pedro.

The Brighton forward calmly converted the resulting penalty, sending David Raya the wrong way and levelling the score.

The incident sparked debate, with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler offering predictably contrasting views. Despite the controversy, Brighton seemed the likelier team to score as the second half progressed, but both sides ultimately settled for a share of the spoils.

The Gunners could slip 11 points behind league leaders Liverpool if Arne Slot’s relentless Reds win their two outstanding fixtures.

While the draw was frustrating, Arsenal can take some solace in their extended unbeaten streak, now at 13 matches across all competitions. This run includes their thrilling 3-2 EFL Cup victory over Crystal Palace, inspired by Gabriel Jesus.

Still in the hunt for their first League Cup trophy since 1993, Arsenal are yet to lose a single home game in any competition this season.

They’ve reached the final in two of their last three EFL Cup semi-final appearances, though their most recent attempt ended in a defeat to Liverpool in 2021/22.

Newcastle and Arsenal find themselves in a similar predicament – they’re both desperate to get their hands on silverware this season.

The Magpies are steeped in tradition but starved of silverware. However, they’re edging closer to breaking a 70-year trophy drought unless the 2005/06 Intertotto Cup is somehow regarded as a major trophy.

While Arsenal’s success in the League Cup is modest, Newcastle are yet to etch their name on the competition and are keen to rewrite their story this season.

Since their high-profile takeover, Eddie Howe’s revitalised squad has shown undeniable ambition.

Last season, the Magpies came heartbreakingly close, only to fall to Manchester United in the League Cup final.

However, there’s a general feeling that they can finally go all the way this season, as Howe’s side look to define this new era with a well-deserved piece of silverware.

Their journey to the latter stages of the competition has been anything but straightforward.

Newcastle overcame Premier League opponents Nottingham Forest, Brentford, and Chelsea, along with AFC Wimbledon, to reach the last four.

Adding to their momentum, a 2-1 victory over Tottenham last weekend, courtesy of goals from Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak, marked their sixth consecutive win across all competitions.

Haunting North London has become a signature move for Newcastle. They started the Premier League season with a narrow 1-0 triumph over Arsenal at St. James’ Park and now aim to replicate that success at the Emirates, a feat they haven’t achieved since 2010.

Head to Head

Newcastle’s trips to Arsenal’s headquarters have historically been disappointing, with the Magpies winless in their last 13 visits in all competitions (D1, L12).

The last time they claimed a win over Arsenal in North London was back in November 2010, when they eked out a 1-0 victory in the Premier League.

The pattern continued during their February 2024 visit, where Newcastle suffered a 4-1 defeat. They had shipped in four goals by the 69th minute before Joe Willock netted a late consolation.

However, Newcastle broke through earlier this season with a 1-0 victory over the Gunners in the Premier League.

They stifled Arsenal’s attack, limiting the Gunners to just one shot on target in the entire game – their joint lowest in the 2024/25 campaign so far.

Isak was the match-winner on that occasion, and if he scores against Arsenal again, he will become the first Magpies player to net against the Gunners in two different games in a single campaign since Laurent Robert in 2001/02.

Team News

Arteta delivered grim news following the 1-1 draw with Brighton, confirming that Nwaneri had picked up a muscular injury.

His half-time substitution was initially thought to be a precaution after his booking for time wasting, but the teenager is now sidelined for “a few weeks”.

He could miss up to ten games, which will come as a crushing blow to the Gunners as they’re also without talisman Bukayo Saka.

The Gunners’ injury list is growing at a concerning pace. In addition to Nwaneri and Saka, they’re also missing Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Chelsea loanee Raheem Sterling.

However, Sterling might return for the FA Cup clash against Man United. Meanwhile, Kai Havertz is battling to recover from illness after missing consecutive games. Jurrien Timber is back in contention, having served a suspension.

Newcastle also face a selection headache as they prepare for their EFL Cup semi-final. Fabian Schar and Bruno Guimaraes are suspended for yellow-card accumulations.

They join Emil Krafth, Nick Pope, Callum Wilson, and Jamaal Lascelles on the absentee list.

Sven Botman’s substitution against Spurs was reportedly due to a cramp, but his availability for the Arsenal game hangs in the balance.

Lloyd Kelly could step in for Schar, while Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock will vie to replace Guimaraes.

Arsenal potential starting line-up:

(4-3-3): David Raya; Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Miles Lewis-Skelly; Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, Declan Rice; Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard.

Newcastle United possible starting line-up:

(4-3-3): Martin Dubravka; Kieran Trippier, Lloyd Kelly, Dan Burn, Lewis Hall; Sean Longstaff, Sandro Tonali, Joelinton; Jacob Murphy, Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon.

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