Arsenal travel to Newcastle United in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi final having to overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first leg.
Arsenal were beaten at the Emirates Stadium with goals from Alexander Isak and Antony Gordon putting Eddie Howe’s side in a commanding position to reach the Carabao Cup final.
Kai Havertz endured a particularly frustrating evening in the return fixture as he scored 4/10 in the Arsenal player ratings and missed a golden opportunity to get the Gunners back in the tie.
William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes were criticised by Lee Dixon for their performance against Isak in the first leg and will realistically need to keep a clean sheet should Arsenal stand any chance of progressing.
Predicted Arsenal line up vs Newcastle United
Mikel Arteta knows that his side have to start the game on the front foot with the first goal on the night being absolutely vital to the outcome of the tie.
Ethan Nwaneri has scored in his last two appearances for the club and may get his chance from the start after coming on as a substitute in the win over Man City.
Thomas Partey has played a considerable amount of football and was outstanding against Pep Guardiola’s side covering a lot of ground, he could be used from the bench in a change to make Arsenal more creative in midfield.
Once again the back four picks itself, David Raya was a key factor in the win over Man City with a string of excellent saves.
Declan Rice has the energy to cover the ground in the holding role, which would allow Arsenal to have their five most dangerous goal threats on the pitch from the start in order to mount the comeback.
It would be a brave and bold move from Arteta but one in which the Spanish manager knows he has to take should his side stand any chance of making the final.
Arsenal duo Raheem Sterling and Riccardo Calafiori could play a big role from the substitutes’ bench
Should Arsenal progress, it will have been a squad effort rather than just the eleven on the pitch from the start.
Raheem Sterling could be needed late on to provide some energy and impetus from the bench if the Gunners are in search of a goal and Riccardo Calafiori has also made an impact in recent weeks after scoring the winner against Wolves.
Newcastle’s Joelinton is a doubt for the game against Arsenal whilst they are also missing Harvey Barnes and Jamal Lascelles for the second leg.
If Arsenal can grab that all important first goal on the night, the Magpies may start to feel the nerves having not won a major trophy since 1955.
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