Arsenal vs Newcastle LIVE: Team news and build up to Carabao Cup semi-final as Martin Odegaard starts | OneFootball

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Focus on players we have, not transfers - Arteta

Arsenal play host to Newcastle United in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final this evening with both teams hoping to secure the advantage ahead of next month’s second leg.

Mikel Arteta’s men had seemingly rediscovered their form in front of goal with Gabriel Jesus having scored six goals in four matches ahead of the Gunners trip to Brighton last weekend. An uncharacteristically toothless display from Arsenal meant they drew 1-1 with Ethan Nwaneri’s individual brilliance the only bright spark in the final third.

Despite those struggles Arsenal are unbeaten in 13 matches across all competitions and will want to take one step closer to winning some much needed silverware under Arteta.

In comparison, Newcastle have been in exceptional form with six wins in a row led firmly by the attacking precision of Alexander Isak. The Magpies last won a major trophy in 1955 and a win for Eddie Howe’s men would put them close to their second League Cup final in three seasons.

Can Jesus keep scoring?

Gabriel Jesus has been involved in 13 goals in his last nine starts in the League Cup (11 goals, 2 assists).

(AP)

Mike Jones7 January 2025 19:40

Howe on Guimaraes’ absence

Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes misses tonight’s match due to a suspension for picking up too many yellow cards in the previous rounds.

The Magpies boss, Eddie Howe, spoke about what it’ll be like to play without his talisman and said: “It’s a big blow. One of Bruno’s biggest strengths is he is always there for you.

“His record has been brilliant for us especially when you consider the physical exertion that he commits to every game.

“His training is very good and he’s been exceptional in every way so to lose him, and he’s a pivotal figure for us, is going to be a big miss but we have good players that can fill his shoes as well so, whoever I choose in that position, I have a lot of quality players.”

Mike Jones7 January 2025 19:35

Eddie Howe heaps praise on Sven Botman after return from injury at Tottenham

Eddie Howe has praised the extraordinary effort of Newcastle defender Sven Botman after he marked his eagerly-anticipated return with a strong display in a 2-1 win at Tottenham.

Fabian Schar’s suspension meant Botman was thrust into the Magpies line-up to make his first competitive appearance since March following anterior cruciate ligament damage.

Eddie Howe heaps praise on Sven Botman after return from injury at Tottenham

Sven Botman suffered anterior cruciate ligament damage in March.

Mike Jones7 January 2025 19:25

Goals galore for the Gunners

Arsenal have scored 11 goals in their three League Cup matches this season, netting at least three each time. They’ve never scored 3+ goals in four consecutive games in the competition.

(AFP via Getty Images)

Mike Jones7 January 2025 19:20

Arsenal’s injuries mean they must adapt

Mikel Arteta believes his players are learning to adapt to different situations and positions as he attempts to limit the negative affect of long-term injuries on his squad.

The Arsenal manager said: “We discussed the situation and the fact that we have to use players in positions that they probably haven’t played in before.

“We are learning a lot from that and what I learn especially is the willingness of the team; you speak to any individual and ask him to play anywhere on the field and they say: ‘I’m there’. That’s great as well to learn from your players.

“It’s a good learning process, not only tactically but also preparation and training with very few players. Today we had seven or eight players with us just to fill the squad which isn’t normal but it’s a weird way to learn, but I’ll take it.

“I cannot change it so let’s take the things that we can get out of it to be better.”

Mike Jones7 January 2025 19:15

Arteta on stopping Alexander Isak

The Arsenal boss says that Newcastle’s in-form striker is a ‘top-player’ and that his team will attempt to minimise his impact this evening.

Arteta said: “He’s a top player in top form scoring a lot of goals and we try to minimise the strength of the opposition. That’s a big part of the plan when we’re playing any opponent.”

(Action Images via Reuters)

Mike Jones7 January 2025 19:10

Newcastle line-up versus Arsenal

Newcastle XI: Dubravka; Livramento, Botman, Burn, Hall; Willock, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Gordon.

Mike Jones7 January 2025 19:02

Eddie Howe hits back at critics of Newcastle’s approach: ‘We are here to win’

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe does not care what people outside of the city think of his team as he plots another assault on Carabao Cup glory.

The Magpies have climbed to fifth in the Premier League after a run of five successive victories, two of them at Manchester United and Tottenham, to rekindle memories of their surge into the Champions League places two seasons ago.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta and then Liverpool counterpart Jurgen Klopp were angered by Newcastle’s approach during that campaign, prompting Howe to say: “We are not here to be popular and to get other teams to like us. We are here to compete.”

Eddie Howe hits back at critics of Newcastle’s approach: ‘We are here to win’

The Newcastle boss is happy to see his team “ruffling feathers” once again ahead of their Carabao Cup semi-final

Mike Jones