Arsenal vs. Newcastle: Carabao Cup Semi-Final Preview, Predictions, and Lineups
The Carabao Cup semi-finals kick off on Tuesday night as Arsenal hosts Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium. Both teams enter the contest in fine form, setting the stage for an exciting first leg in this two-legged battle to determine who reaches Wembley in March.
Match Details
- Location: Emirates Stadium, London, England
- Date: Tuesday, January 7, 2025
- Kick-off Time: 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
- Referee: Craig Pawson
- VAR: John Brooks
Current Form
Arsenal (Last Five Matches)
- Brighton 1-1 Arsenal – January 4, 2025
- Brentford 1-3 Arsenal – January 1, 2025
- Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich – December 27, 2024
- Crystal Palace 1-5 Arsenal – December 21, 2024
- Arsenal 3-2 Crystal Palace – December 18, 2024
Unbeaten Run: Arsenal is unbeaten in their last 13 matches across all competitions but will be disappointed with their recent draw at Brighton.
Newcastle (Last Five Matches)
- Tottenham 1-2 Newcastle – January 4, 2025
- Man United 0-2 Newcastle – December 30, 2024
- Newcastle 3-0 Aston Villa – December 26, 2024
- Ipswich 0-4 Newcastle – December 21, 2024
- Newcastle 3-1 Brentford – December 18, 2024
Winning Streak: Newcastle has won five consecutive Premier League matches and appears to be in their best form of the season.
Head-to-Head (Last Five Games)
- Arsenal: 2 wins
- Newcastle: 2 wins
- Draws: 1
- Last Meeting: Newcastle 1-0 Arsenal (November 2, 2024 – Premier League)
Team News
Arsenal
Arsenal’s squad has been dealing with illness, with Kai Havertz, Martin Ødegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, and Declan Rice all affected recently. Arteta will hope his key players recover in time for the physical challenge posed by Newcastle.
On the injury front:
- Out: Bukayo Saka, Raheem Sterling, Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ethan Nwaneri
- Returning: Jurrien Timber (suspension served)
Predicted Arsenal Lineup (4-3-3):
Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Partey, Rice, Ødegaard; Martinelli, Jesus, Trossard
Newcastle
Eddie Howe may shuffle his lineup to manage player fatigue. Sven Botman, who recently returned from injury, could start again due to Fabian Schär’s suspension. Bruno Guimarães is also suspended, paving the way for former Arsenal player Joe Willock to feature.
- Out: Callum Wilson, Jamaal Lascelles, Emil Krafth
- Doubtful: Nick Pope
Predicted Newcastle Lineup (4-3-3):
Dubravka; Livramento, Schär, Burn, Hall; Tonali, Joelinton, Willock; Gordon, Isak, Barnes
Key Storylines
- Arsenal’s Cup Prioritization
With their Premier League title challenge still alive, Mikel Arteta might shift focus to cup competitions to ensure silverware this season. The Gunners must leverage home advantage in the first leg to avoid a daunting task at St. James’ Park. - Newcastle’s Momentum
The Magpies are in scintillating form, riding a five-match Premier League winning streak. Eddie Howe’s side has regained their gritty and clinical edge, making them a formidable opponent. - Player Availability
Injuries and suspensions on both sides will influence the outcome. Arsenal’s depleted squad faces a tough test against a Newcastle team missing key players like Guimarães and Wilson.
Prediction
Arsenal will be desperate to secure a first-leg advantage at the Emirates, but Newcastle’s form and resilience cannot be overlooked. While Eddie Howe may rotate his squad slightly, Arsenal’s home advantage and determination to break Newcastle’s recent dominance could see them edge a narrow victory.
Score Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Newcastle
FAQs
1. When is the second leg of the Arsenal vs. Newcastle semi-final?
The second leg will take place in February 2025 at St. James’ Park.
2. Who scored in the last meeting between Arsenal and Newcastle?
Newcastle won 1-0 in November 2024, with the goal scored by Alexander Isak.
3. What is Arsenal’s current unbeaten streak?
Arsenal is unbeaten in their last 13 matches across all competitions.
4. Which key players are unavailable for Newcastle?
Bruno Guimarães (suspended), Callum Wilson, Jamaal Lascelles, and Emil Krafth are unavailable, while Nick Pope is doubtful.
5. Who are Arsenal’s notable absentees?
Bukayo Saka, Raheem Sterling, Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Ethan Nwaneri are out, while several players have been recovering from illness.
