Arsenal are unbeaten in 13 home games against Newcastle, winning 12 of them, but have lost three of their last four visits to Tyneside, so will feel establishing a first leg advantage is imperative; the Gunners have won all four previous League Cup fixtures against the Magpies, scoring 12 goals and conceding zero.
Arsenal vs Newcastle United Preview
Arsenal have not won the League Cup since 1993; Newcastle have not won any domestic trophy since 1955. Thus, make no mistake about it, both clubs are desperate to be at Wembley for the final on 16 March.
On Saturday, Arsenal's Premier League title hopes suffered yet another set-back, this time held to a 1-1 draw by Brighton, taking the lead through Ethan Nwaneri, only to concede a very dubious penalty on the hour mark. Mikel Arteta's team are now unbeaten in ten league games, most-recently beaten by Newcastle in early-November, but four of these have been draws, leaving them a long way adrift run-away leaders Liverpool. As a result, the Gunners will surely have to give extra importance to the cup competitions, considering it's now five years since Arteta hoisted aloft the FA Cup just six months after taking the job. So far, they've seen off Bolton Wanderers, Preston North End and Crystal Palace, scoring 11 goals, thereby reaching the semi-finals for only the fourth time in 17 seasons, aiming to win the competition for the first time in 32 years.
Newcastle United meantime did get all the way to the final two seasons ago, but were beaten 2-0 by Manchester United. So, the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup won in 1969 remains the Magpies' most-recent major silverware, while it is now 70 years since they captured a domestic honour; Doug Livingstone, who'd be 127-years-old next month, guiding his team to a 3-0 win over Man City in the FA Cup Final. Well, in stark contrast to their hosts, Eddie Howe's team come into this tie full of confidence, winning six on the spin, scoring 18 goals.
The Toon Army were also in North London at the weekend, celebrating a 2-1 victory over Tottenham, in which Anthony Gordon equalised soon after Spurs had struck, before Alexander Isak bagged the winner. Five successive league victories have catapulted the Magpies up to fifth, a mere five points worse off than Arsenal, having been 12th as recently as early-December. Meantime, in the Carabao Cup, Newcastle's adventure could've been over before it ever began, requiring a penalty shootout to oust Nottingham Forest in August, before beating AFC Wimbledon, Chelsea and then Brentford, all at St James' Park, now with another capital club in their sights. So, backed by 6,000 Geordies, will they leave London with a positive result, ahead of next month's return leg on Tyneside?
Arsenal vs Newcastle United Head-to-Head Record
- Matches Played: 194.
- Arsenal Wins: 85. Draws: 39. Newcastle United Wins: 70.
Arsenal Team News
Mikel Arteta's team are depleted; Bukayo Saka, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Benjamin White remain sidelined long-term, while Kai Havertz has missed the last two matches due to illness, with Martin Ødegaard and Gabriel Martinelli deemed only well enough for a place on the bench at Brighton. In a much-needed boost, Jurriën Timber can return at right-back, having been suspended on Saturday, meaning Thomas Partey will be back in midfield, while, on the opposite side, Riccardo Calafiori is expected to get the nod over Myles Lewis-Skelly for a third match in succession. In less good news, after scoring his first-ever Premier League goal at the weekend, Ethan Nwaneri was replaced at half time due to a "muscular issue", and Arteta did not seem upbeat about the teenager's availability.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Newcastle United: (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Partey, Rice, Ødegaard; Jesus, Havertz, Martinelli.
Arsenal Player to Watch vs Newcastle United
Gabriel Jesus is currently the joint-top scorer in the Carabao Cup this season, following his hat-trick against Crystal Palace last month, taking his tally to 11 across his last 18 EFL Cup outings, although he's only ever scored once in 11 attempts against Newcastle.
Newcastle United Team News
The visitors are without both Fabian Schär and Bruno Guimarães due to suspension, after both were booked for the second time in the Carabao Cup this season against Brentford in the quarter-finals. So, in relation to Schär, who was also banned at Tottenham on Saturday, it is a major boost that Sven Botman is back, featuring for the first time in 294 days due to a ruptured ACL, and Eddie Howe will be hoping the Dutchman is good to go again. Guimarães' absence is also a major blow, considering how strong a midfield trident he has formed alongside Sandro Tonali and Joelinton, with Sean Longstaff likely to deputise, chosen over Arsenal academy graduate Joe Willock. Martin Dúbravka will once again be donning the gloves, with Nick Pope's injured, while Jacob Murphy's excellent form will see him keep his place in attack.
Newcastle United predicted lineup vs Arsenal: (4-3-3): Dúbravka; Livramento, Botman, Burn, Hall; Tonali, Longstaff, Joelinton; Murphy, Gordon, Isak.
Newcastle United Player to Watch vs Arsenal
Alexander Isak now has 14 goals to his name this season, scoring in seven successive Premier League fixtures, having bagged the only goal of the afternoon when the Magpies beat Arsenal in November.
Arsenal vs Newcastle United Prediction
This first leg will almost certainly be low-scoring, considering Arsenal's lack of attacking firepower, alongside Newcastle's defensive solidity. However, we are backing the Gunners to establish the slenderest of advantages, ahead of the return leg on Tyneside: Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle United.
Arsenal vs Newcastle United FAQs - Carabao Cup
How to watch Arsenal vs Newcastle United Carabao Cup game on TV channel?
Arsenal vs Newcastle United Carabao Cup game will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: ITV1, Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football & Ultra HD
- USA: Paramount+
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Arsenal vs Newcastle United Carabao Cup game on live streaming?
Arsenal vs Newcastle United Carabao Cup game will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: ITVX, SkyGo & NOW TV
- USA: Paramount+
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Arsenal vs Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup?
Arsenal vs Newcastle United takes place on Tuesday 7 January 2025, with kick off at 20:00 (GMT), 15:00 (EDT) & 12:00 (PST).