Preview: Newcastle vs Arsenal – stats, team news, line-ups
Holding a two-goal lead from the first leg, Newcastle United will be looking to finish off Arsenal when both sides renew acquaintances in the second leg of their EFL Cup semi-final tie.
The Magpies are just 90 minutes away from their first major final in decades. They’ll be desperate to get the job done and give themselves a chance to end their seven-decade-long wait for silverware.
With a spot at Wembley Stadium up for grabs, Arsenal must mount a comeback to keep their cup hopes alive.
The winners of this contest will advance to the 64th EFL Cup final on March 16, where they will battle either Liverpool or Tottenham for the coveted trophy.
Fans can expect a thrilling night under the lights, and Gunners faithful will buy Arsenal tickets from Seatsnet.com, hoping their side can turn the tie on its head at St. James’ Park.
Match Preview
After enjoying a club-record nine-game winning streak, Newcastle have hit a rough patch, losing two of their last three Premier League matches.
Their latest setback came in a 2-1 defeat at home to Fulham, marking consecutive home losses for the first time in a year.
The Magpies took the lead through Jacob Murphy before a resurgent Fulham side turned the game around in the second half. Manager Eddie Howe admitted his team was “nowhere near” their usual standards and described the performance as “very disappointing”.
The defeat cost Newcastle a chance to reclaim a spot in the Premier League’s top four, leaving them sixth and level on points with reigning champions Manchester City, who they face in a crucial league fixture next week.
Before that, Newcastle must shift their focus to the EFL Cup, where they aim to secure a spot in their second domestic final in three years.
The Magpies hold a 2-0 advantage over Arsenal from the first leg, thanks to goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon at the Emirates.
A strong result in the second leg would not only move them closer to their first major trophy since the 1955 FA Cup but also provide a much-needed morale boost.
With a season-defining week ahead, Howe’s side must rediscover their winning form quickly.
Victory over Arsenal could reignite their momentum before the high-stakes showdown with City, as Newcastle look to stay in contention on multiple fronts.
Meanwhile, Arsenal have found their rhythm at a crucial time after a shaky start to the year.
Since their penalty-shootout exit against Manchester United in the FA Cup and a first-leg defeat to Newcastle in the EFL Cup, the Gunners have gone unbeaten in six matches across all competitions.
They have won five and drawn one, with their last four wins coming by a dominant 11-2 aggregate scoreline.
Mikel Arteta’s side confirmed their place in the Champions League last 16 with a 2-1 win over Girona last week before producing a stunning 5-1 victory against Man City at the Emirates Stadium.
That emphatic performance not only humbled the reigning Premier League champions but also kept Arsenal’s title hopes alive.
Despite the impressive run, Arteta has urged his players to stay grounded after their “very special” win over City, as they still sit second in the league, six points behind Liverpool, who also have a game in hand.
With a third straight season without silverware still a possibility, Arsenal fans remain hopeful but wary.
The Gunners now turn their attention to the EFL Cup, a competition they have won just twice in their history, last lifting the trophy in 1993.
Arsenal have only reached the semi-finals three times in the last 14 years and have made it to the final on just two of those occasions.
To reach this year’s final, the Gunners must overturn their first-leg loss to Newcastle with a three-goal win – something they haven’t achieved at St. James’ Park since 2010.
Encouragingly, they have won six of their last eight away matches, three of them by at least the required margin.
A big performance is needed, and the Gunners will believe they have what it takes.
Key Stats
Newcastle are just one game away from securing their third-ever League Cup final appearance – and their second in three seasons.
The Magpies head into the decisive match as firm favourites, with Opta’s supercomputer giving them an 82.5% chance of progressing.
A 2-0 win in the first leg at the Emirates has put them in a commanding position, and only two of the last 31 teams to lose a home semi-final first leg have managed to turn the tie around.
However, Arsenal were the last to do so in 1986-87, against Tottenham.
Newcastle have enjoyed recent success against the Gunners, winning four of their last seven meetings (D1, L2), matching their total victories from the previous 45 encounters.
However, they have never beaten Arsenal three times in a single season.
Team News
Newcastle will once again be without Harvey Barnes and Jamaal Lascelles as they prepare for Arsenal’s visit.
However, Callum Wilson has an outside chance of making the squad after spending over eight weeks sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Goalkeeper Nick Pope has been fit for the last two matches but has remained on the bench, with Martin Dubravka continuing in goal.
Eddie Howe now faces a key decision on whether to restore Pope to the starting line-up. Similarly, Sven Botman is pushing for a return in defence, potentially replacing either Fabian Schar or Dan Burn.
Meanwhile, Joe Willock is eager to reclaim a midfield spot, with Joelinton or Sandro Tonali possibly making way. Bruno Guimaraes, who missed the first leg due to suspension, is expected to start.
Meanwhile, Arsenal will be without Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, and Takehiro Tomiyasu. Ben White is nearing a return from a knee injury but is unlikely to feature.
David Raya overcame a muscle issue to start in Arsenal’s recent victory over Man City and is expected to keep his place.
Young talents Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri are pushing for starting roles after strong recent performances.
Newcastle United potential starting line-up:
(4-3-3): Nick Pope; Tino Livramento, Sven Botman, Fabian Schar, Lewis Hall; Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton; Jacob Murphy, Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon.
Arsenal potential starting line-up:
(4-3-3): David Raya; Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Myles Lewis-Skelly; Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, Declan Rice; Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossard.
